Jessup frowned. “It is said that she died of pneumonia but had death _not_ come upon her unexpectedly it was well known that she would have taken Cavesway. There has been considerable debate over this at Dallas. I hear from highly placed people that before many years have passed they will promulgate a new interpretation, applying only to Iris, which will establish that intent and fact are the same, that though she died of pneumonia she _intended_ to take Cavesway and, therefore, took Cavesway in spirit and therefore in fact.” “A most inspiring definition.” “It is beautifully clear, though perhaps difficult for an untrained mind. Can I read your memoir?” His eyes strayed curiously to the table. “When it’s finished,” I said. “It’s almost done now. In a few days perhaps; I should be most curious to see how it strikes you.” “Well, I won’t take up any more of your time. I hope you’ll let me come to see you.” “Nothing could give me more pleasure.” And then, with a pat on my shoulder and a kind suggestion that should I choose Cavesway he would be willing to administer the latest drug, Jessup departed. I remained very still for some minutes, holding my breath for long intervals, trying to die. Then, in a sudden rage, I hurled my pillow across the room and beat the mattress with my fists: it was over. All was at an end except my own miserable life which will soon enough be gone. My name erased; my work subverted; all that I most detested regnant in the world. I could have wept had there been one tear left in me. Now there is nothing I can do but finish this narrative ... for its own sake since it will be thought, I know, the ravings of a mad man when Jessup reads it, as he surely will after I am dead. I have tried now for several hours to describe my last meeting with Iris but I find that my memory is at last seriously impaired, the result, no doubt, of that tiny vein which broke this morning in my brain. It all seems a jumble. I think there were several years in which I was in opposition. I think that I had considerable support and I am almost sure that, until the attempted assassination of Iris at Seattle, I was close to dominating the Council of Residents. The idiotic attempt on her life, however, ruined everything. She knew of course that I had had nothing to do with it but she was a resolute leader and she took this opportunity to annihilate my party. I believe we met for the last time in a garden. A garden very like the one where we first met in California. No, on the banks of the Hudson ... I must reread what I have written to refresh my memory. It is all beginning to fade rapidly. In any case, we met in a garden in the late autumn when all the trees were bare. She was white-haired then, though neither of us was much over forty.