attempted to round the driveway moving toward the servant's entrance. Giles and Archie did not have to hurry overmuch to catch up with me.

Archie lifted me into his arms and turned once again for the front of the mansion. We ascended the steps to the double doors. Nursey ran to us before we could step into the hall. Though in a fog of confusion, I just knew she would scream at Archie for being so bold. But no such reprimand was issued.

We all ascended the stairs together. I was taken to Her Ladyship's room and laid gently on the satin bedclothes of the large bed. My cape and bonnet were removed and my shoes were painfully pulled off my swollen feet.

"This isn't necessary," I protested. "I'd rather be in my own bed, if you please." But no one seemed to hear or care what I was saying. It was very annoying and had I been more myself, I would have shrieked at them to cease this tired old joke. It wasn't funny anymore.

Then, as though peering into a looking-glass, I watched myself approach the bed. A tiny smile lifted the corners of my mouth. I bent forward, lovingly, and placed a cool cloth on my forehead. On my forehead! Shaken to the depths of my soul with the realization of my predicament, I looked in horror at my hands. They were old, with thickly knotted knuckles and protruding blue veins. My nails were ridged and yellow.

I lifted the cloth of the nightgown I was wearing and felt the flannel between my aged fingers. Sensation in my hands swiftly diminished until I no longer felt the cloth clenched within my gnarled fist.

I knew then, it was a joke. A sick and ghastly joke. A joke born in hell and carried out with the utmost care and precision. I looked one last time into Archie's face. His beautiful dark eyes gazed on me with pity and thinly veiled disgust.

I hated him for it.

My head began to spin round and round. Breathing was painful. As I looked for my other face among the people around me, I heard the young woman with Jocelyn's soul burning deep inside her, laugh hysterically, her head thrown back. Her lips were stretched back over even, white teeth. I cringed at the malevolent sound of it.

Then Nursey came forward and placed her arm around my other self's shoulders and guided her toward the door. Nursey looked back at Archie and said, "She's overwrought so I'm taking her to your room...her room."

He nodded.

And then Nursey spoke loudly for everyone to hear, "I know you are concerned about how she slipped out of bed and managed to leave the house, Drucsilla, but it is my fault, too." Nursey smiled broadly, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

"Her Ladyship is old, dear. Her time has come." The uniformed woman patted the younger one on the shoulder. "You can be of no further use to Lady Jocelyn. I'm sure you agree."