subject, and take back those words that may
have offended you.

"At present there is no more talk here either of tables or of
spirits, but only of diplomacy and war; in former years,
however, spiritualism was very widely discussed, and several
persons I both respect and esteem believed in it. I knew
positively that many among them were simply deluded but I never
doubted their good faith when they told me of conversations
they had had with spirits. It would indeed seem that our
imagination, when inflamed, can make us see and hear things
that do not really exist. But I am willing to admit that in
your case you are not deceived by your imagination; that your
little table does really move and express itself exactly as you
say. I was wrong to doubt this--I confess it--in the first
place because you are so sure of not being mistaken, and
secondly, because I am well aware of Professor Gilardoni's
honesty. But to me this is a question of sentiment. I know that
my sweet Maria lives with God, and I cherish the hope that some
time I, with other souls dear to me, may go where she is. If
she should appear before me unbidden, if, without having
summoned her, I should hear the sound of her voice, clear and
distinct, perhaps I should not be able to bear such joy. But I
could never summon her, never force her to come to me. The
thought is repugnant to me; it is contrary to that sense of
veneration I feel for a Being who is so much nearer God than I
am. Dear Luisa, I also speak to our treasure every day, speak
to her of myself and of you as well; I am convinced that she
sees us, that she loves us, that she can still do much for us
even in this life. How I wish that your intercourse with her
might be of the same nature! If, in answering your letter in
which you allude to a communication from her I expressed myself
too harshly, forgive me, not only in consideration of my hasty
temper, but still more in consideration of my sentiments, which
are indeed a part of my nature.

"Forgive me also in consideration of the atmosphere of intense
excitement in which I am living here. My throat is perfectly
well. Since war has been talked of, I have cast aside both
camphor and sedative waters, but my nerves are in a state of
such extraordinary tension that it see