As he finished his breakfast, he smiled, thanked me and wished me a good day, before leaving to return to his laboratory. His eyes were clear and his smile was genuine, but no matter how hard I have tried, I have been unable to convince myself that I hadn't seen his earlier countenance. I have made myself a promise to watch over my master and, if it was his doom I saw reflected in his eyes, try to protect him.

He returned for a moment as I cleared the table to ask me to move the long mirror from his room to his cabinet, then he was gone.