A Discovery of Witches

Miriam guards Diana at the Bodleian, but cannot deter Peter Knox from sitting nearby. Diana is glad when Matthew returns and happy to accept another invitation to yoga class. Matthew would not have left had he known Peter Knox was bothering her. Diana abruptly admits that she has been using magic all along without realizing it and has been fooling herself by thinking she’s kept magic out of her life. She is frightened. Matthew explains he was with Hamish—he had to leave Oxford because he “couldn’t stop thinking about” her (132). Although relieved that he hadn’t disappeared because their last conversation ended coolly, Diana realizes Matthew worries he could hurt her. Both are finally being honest with each other. Matthew wears a new talisman under his sweater—an ancient ampulla shaped like a casket from Bethany, where Christ raised Lazarus from the dead. It is a reminder of “the destructive power of anger” (132).

Matthew keeps Diana safe when she has a panic attack after yoga. He wonders why Diana called him for help instead of other witches or humans. They decide they are friends.