rruptible and immortal. We also know by analogy and
reason that they will be unaffected by the cold and void of space, so
that their possessors can range through the universe for non-nillions
and decillions of miles, that they will have marvellous capacities for
enjoying what they find, and that no undertaking or journey will be too
difficult, though it be to the centre of the sun. Though many of us
can already visit the remote regions of space as spirits, none can as
yet see God; but we know that as the sight we are to receive with our
new bodies sharpens, the pure in heart will see Him, though He is still
as invisible to the eyes of the most developed here as the ether of
space is to yours."

CHAPTER VIII.

CASSANDRA AND COSMOLOGY.

The water-jug being empty, Ayrault took it up, and, crossing the ridge
of a small hill, descended to a running-brook. He had filled it, and
was straightening himself, when the stone on which he stood turned, and
he might have fallen, had not the bishop, of whose presence he had been
unaware, stretched out his hand and upheld him.

"I thought you might need a little help," he said with a smile, "and so
walked beside you, though you knew it not. Water is heavy, and you may
not yet have become accustomed to its Saturnian weight."

"Many thanks, my master," replied Ayrault, retaining his hand. "Were
it not that I am engaged to the girl I love, and am sometimes haunted
by the thought that in my absence she may be forgetting me, I should
wish to spend the rest of my natural life here, unless I could persuade
you to go with me to the earth."

"By remaining here," replied the spirit, with a sad look, "you would be
losing the most priceless opportunities of doing good. Neither will I
go with you; but, as your distress is real, I will tell you of anything
happening on earth that you wish to know."

"Tell me, then, what the person now in my thoughts is doing."

"She is standing in a window facing west, watering some forget-me-nots
with a small silver sprinkler which has a ruby in the handle."

"Can you see anything else?"

"Beneath the jewel is an inscription that runs:

'By those who in warm July are born
A single ruby should be worn;
Then will they be exempt and free
From love's doubts and anxiety.'"

"Marvellous! Had I any doubts as to your prescience and power, they
would be dispe