ossibilities of such a state of
existence. I could not remember that I had in the old life
satisfactorily proved that another _could_ not follow it. It seemed to
me that if I had only so much as exercised my imagination upon the
possible course of events in case another did, it would have been of
some practical service to me now. I was in the position of a man who
is become the victim of a discovery whose rationality he has
contemptuously denied. It was like being struck by a projectile while
one is engaged in disproving the existence of gunpowder.

If a soul may properly be said to be stunned, mine at this time, was
that soul.

In this condition solitude was still so natural to me that I made no
effort to approach the people of the place, and contented myself with
observing them and their affairs from a distance. They seemed a very
happy people. There could be no mistake about that. I did not see a
clouded countenance; nor did I hear an accent of discomfort, or of
pain. I wondered at their joyousness, which I found it as impossible
to share as the sick find it impossible to share what has been called
"the insolence of health." It did, indeed, appear to me as something
almost impertinent, as possession always appears to denial. But I had
never been denied before. I perceived, also, that the inhabitants of
this country were a busy people. They came and went, they met and
parted, with the eagerness of occupation; though there was a
conspicuous absence of the fretful haste to which I had been used in
the conduct of business. I looked upon the avocations of this strange
land, and wondered at them. I could not see with what they were
occupied, or why, or to what end. They affected me perhaps something
as the concerns of the human race may affect the higher animals. I
looked on with an unintelligent envy.

One day, as I was strolling miserably about, a child came up and spoke
to me. He, like myself, was alone. He was a beautiful child,--a
little boy; he seemed scarcely more than an infant. He appeared to be
in search of some one or of something; his brilliant eyes roved
everywhere; he had a noble little head, and carried himself
courageously. He gave no evidence of fear or sadness at his isolated
position but ran right on,--for he was running when I saw him,--as if
he had gone forth upon some happy, childish errand.

But at sight of me he paused; regarded me a moment with the piercing
candour of child