whole inner being; so that, if it does not clearly
speak out the secrets which are lying dormant within us, it does yet
evoke and call forth, in a species of _extasis_ induced by its
_rapport_ with the exterior spiritual principle, the suggestions, the
outlines, the shadowings of all which is reposing within our breasts,
clearly seen by the eye of the spirit, in brightest illumination! On
this assumption the psychical power would strike the strings within us,
so as to make them give forth a clear and vibrating chord, audible to
us, and intelligible by us, instead of merely murmuring, as they do at
other times; so that it is we who answer our own selves; the voice
which we hear is produced from within ourselves by the operation of
this unknown spiritual power, and vague presentiments and anticipations
of the future brighten into spoken prognostications--just as, in
dreams, we often find that a voice, unfamiliar to us, tells us of
things which we do not know, or as to which we are in doubt, being, in
reality, a voice proceeding from ourselves, although it seems to convey
to us knowledge which previously we did not possess. No doubt the Turk
(that is to say, the hidden power which is connected with him) seldom
finds it necessary to place himself _en rapport_ with people in this
way. Hundreds of them can be dealt with in the cursory, superficial
manner adapted to their queries and characters, and it is seldom that a
question is put which calls for the exercise of anything besides ready
wit. But by any strained or exalted condition of the questioner the
Turk would be affected in quite a different way, and he would then
employ those means which render possible the production of a psychic
_rapport_, giving him the power to answer from out of the inner depths
of the questioner. His hesitation in replying to deep questions of this
kind may be due to the delay which he grants himself to gain a few
moments for the bringing into play of the power in question. This is my
true and genuine opinion; and you see that I have not that contemptuous
notion of this work of art (or whatever may be the proper term to apply
to it) that I would have had you believe I had. But I do not wish to
conceal anything from you; though I see that if you adopt my idea, I
shall not have given you any real comfort at all."

"'"You are wrong there, dear friend," said Ferdinand. "The very fact
that your opinion does chime in with a vague notion which I felt,
d