The stimulant brought a shade of colour into his ghastly cheeks, and the
old quick, intelligent gleam came back into his deep sunk eyes.
"A remarkable woman, gentlemen," said he, "a very noteworthy woman.
I had prided myself that my willpower was the most powerful in the
country--I had never met any to match it--but I do not mind admitting
that, for firmness and tenacity, this lady is my equal. She was anxious
that I should adopt one course of action. I was determined to adopt
another. Your presence here is a proof that she has prevailed."
He paused for breath, and she gave him another small sip of the brandy.
"I execute her will ungrudgingly and with the conviction that it is the
right and proper course for me to take," he continued. "You will forgive
me some of the ill which I have done you, Maisie, when I tell you that
I really died this morning--all unknown to Cumberledge and you--and that
nothing but my will force has sufficed to keep spirit and body together
until I should carry out your will in the manner which you suggested. I
shall be glad when I have finished, for the effort is a painful one,
and I long for the peace of dissolution.
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