lar of stone standing near him was suddenly shattered, and the
bishop stood where it had been.

"Because," said the spirit, answering his thought, "it has not
yet power to be free."

"Can a man's soul not rise till his body is dead?" asked Ayrault.

The spirit hesitated.

"Oh, tell me," pleaded Ayrault. "If I could see the girl to whom I am
engaged, for but a moment, could be convinced that she loves me still,
my mind would be at rest. Free my soul or spirit, or whatever it is,
from this body, that I may traverse intervening space and be with her."

"You will discover the way for yourself in time," said the spirit.

"I know I shall at the last day, in the resurrection, when I am no
longer in the flesh. Then I shall have no need of your aid; for we,
know that in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in
marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven. It is while I am
mortal, and love as mortals do, that I wish to see my promised bride.
A spirit may have other joys, and perhaps higher; but you who have
lived in the world and loved, show me that which is now my heart's
desire. You have shown us the tomb in which Cortlandt will lie buried;
now help me to go to one who is still alive."

"I pray that God will grant you this," said the spirit, "and make me
His instrument, for I see the depth of your distress." Saying which,
he vanished, leaving no trace in his departure except that the pillar
of stone returned to its place.

With this rather vague hope, Ayrault set off to rejoin his companions,
for he felt the need of human sympathy. Saturn's rapid rotation had
brought the earth almost to the zenith, the little point shining with
the unmistakably steady ray of a planet. Huge bats fluttered about
him, and the great cloud-masses swept across the sky, being part of
Saturn's ceaseless whirl. He found he was in a hypnotic or
spiritualistic state, for it was not necessary for him to have his eyes
open to know where he was. In passing one of the pools they had
noticed, he observed that the upper and previously invisible liquid had
the bright colour of gold, and about it rested a group of figures
enveloped in light.

"Why do you look so sad?" they asked. "You are in that abode of
departed spirits known as paradise, and should be happy."

"I suppose I should be happy, were I here as you are, as the reward of
merit," he replied. "But I am still in the flesh, and as such am
subject to its cares."