“Acted strangely, you say. In what respect?”
“I can hardly explain, sir,” replied Agnes. “But I have heard tell of birds being charmed by serpents; and the way Madeline acted toward Mrs. Jeckyl made me think all the while of a bird and a serpent. I do not much wonder that Georgie saw snakes in her eyes. They were the strangest eyes I ever looked into, and made me shudder. She’s done something dreadful to Madeline!”
“Were they alone together?” inquired the physician.
“For a little while.”
“Did Madeline seem repelled, or attracted, by this woman?”
“Both. She appeared to be drawn toward her, yet acted like one struggling to get away. Oh, sir, it was dreadful! I never met so terrible a woman! Her eyes shone, sometimes, like coals of fire. I was afraid of her.”
“Did you see her put her hands on Madeline?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In what manner?”
“She held her with one hand, while with the other she smoothed her hair.”