"Ah bin thankin', Matt," said Lila, "Ah'd laik Jasmine to be mah bridesmaid when Ah marry Cass."

"She's a little young for that." said Matthew.

"That's why Ah wawnt you to hold her, durin' the ceremony."

"You want ME to be part of the wedding party?" said Matthew incredulously.

"Do you thank Rachel would let us use the Cory Chapel?"

"You'd have to ask Mom, but I can't think of any reason why not." said Matthew grimly.

"Ah'll go do that raight now."

Lila bustled off , just as Amanda came in.

"Matt, we've got to do something!" she said, "Mother's having some sort of breakdown!"

"What, because she's having an affair with a younger man?" said Matthew, "Considering the relationship I had with Donna, I'm in no position to throw stones at Mom."

"Oh Matt, be serious!"

"I am serious." he said, "It probably won't last, but while it does, we should just - butt out."

Predictably, Amanda didn't listen. If Rachel wasn't having a breakdown, then she must be under a spell.

Spell! Amanda suddenly thought of a man she had dated, briefly, a few years earlier. She still had his phone number. She called his office: "Agent Neil Johanssen, please - Neil? It's Amanda Cory. I think I need your help."

****

Marly entered the Cory Mansion, and looked around. No one was in sight. The painting was where she remembered it being. She couldn't imagine why Stark wanted it; it was ugly. But if she wanted his help - and she did, she did! - she had to do her part, and there was no time like the present. She took it down, and carried it out to her car, without anyone seeing her.

****

"If Mother's under a spell, you'd be able to detect it, wouldn't you?" said Amanda, "I mean, you're an Adept."

"Yes." said Neil, "A lovespell is actually pretty easy to detect."

"And they're illegal, right?"

"Legally, compelling someone to love you is the same as rape."

YES! thought Amanda. Aloud, she said, "So, what would you have to do? Would Mother need to go down to your office, or could you do it here at the house?"

"I'd just need to see her, face to face." said Neil.

"I'll have a party this evening, and invite you. Will that do?"

"It should."

****

"So, what's the occasion?" said Joe.

"Yes, why a party in the middle of the week?" said Paulina.

"It's - uh - in honour of Lila and Cass' engagement." said Amanda.

"Why, thank you!" said Lila, 'That's so sweet!"

Matthew ground his teeth.

Rachel entered the living room, and looked around, frowning. Something was not right. Her eyes came to rest on the blank spot on the wall.

"Amanda, did you take that landscape down?" she asked.

"Matthew, Lila, do either of you know anything about it?"

"No, Mom."

"Ah swear Ah don' know a thang." said Lila.

"Then, we've been robbed!"

****

"There!" said Marly, "I got you the painting. Now when are you going to turn me into Vicky?"

"You will have to be patient." said Stark, "These things take time."

"I can't wait much longer!"

"Trust me."

****

"This doesn't make sense." said Rachel, "Why steal just that painting? We have much more valuable pieces of art hanging on the wall. The Degas, for instance."

"I guess the thief liked that one." said Amanda, as the doorbell rang; she answered it.

"Neil! I'm so glad you could come!"

****

Jordan Stark had been hard at work, setting a spell to dissolve the top layer of the painting. Now he activated it, and the landscape flaked off and fell to the ground like multicoloured snow, revealing the portrait of a young woman, underneath.

"Hello, Amalie." he said, "It's been a long time. But we will soon be together again, My Beloved."

****

"Can you check out my mother without her noticing?" said Amanda.

"Yes." Neil took out his crystal wand, "There's definitely magic in use here. A very powerful spell - strong as an iron chain."

"I knew it!" cried Amanda.

To her astonishment, Neil walked right past Rachel, and stopped in front of Paulina!

"Yes." he said, running his crystal wand over her, "A very strong spell, that's been in place for years."

"What are you talking about?" said Paulina.

Neil took out his I.D. "You'd better come down to the Bureau . Unravelling such a powerful spell takes more equipment than I have with me."

"A spell? I'm under a spell?" Paulina made no resistance as he took her elbow and led her towards the door, just as Joe came back from questioning the servants about the missing painting.

"Hey!" he said, "Where are you takin' my wife?"

"Bureau of Wizardry!" said Neil, "I have reason to believe that this woman has been the victim of a spell."

"Paulina! Don't go! You don't you what you're doin'!"

"Joe! If I'm under a spell, I want it broken!"

****

Stark held a silver locket up ; the girl in the painting wore an identical one.

"You see, Amalie, I kept it, all these years. It will provide a link with the vessel I have chosen as your new home!"