t I was flying toward the sky.

It turned out that "the charming stranger" who wore a dark veil, and who
came to me so mysteriously three times, was no one else than Mme. N., my
former fiancee, my love, my dream and my suffering.

But order! order! May my indulgent reader forgive the involuntary
incoherence of the preceding lines, but I am sixty years old, and my
strength is beginning to fail me, and I am alone. My unknown reader,
be my friend at this moment, for I am not of iron, and my strength is
beginning to fail me. Listen, my friend; I shall endeavour to tell you
exactly and in detail, as objectively as my cold and clear mind will be
able to do it, all that has happened. You must understand that which my
tongue may omit.

I was sitting, engaged upon the preparation of my lecture, seriously
carried away by the absorbing work, when my servant announced that the
strange lady in the black veil was there again, and that she wished to
see me. I confess I was irritated, that I was ready to decline to see
her, but my curiosity, coupled with my desire not to offend her, led
me to receive the unexpected guest. Assuming the expression of majestic
nobleness with which I usually greet my visitors, and softening that
expression somewhat by a smile in view of the romantic character of the
affair, I ordered my servant to open the door.

"Please be seated, my dear guest," I said politely to the stranger, who
stood as dazed before me, still keeping the veil on her face.

She sat down.

"Although I respect all secrecy," I continued jestingly, "I would
nevertheless ask you to remove this gloomy cover which disfigures you.
Does the human face need a mask?"

The strange visitor declined, in a state of agitation.

"Very well, I'll take it off, but not now--later. First I want to see
you well."

The pleasant voice of the stranger did not call forth any recollections
in me. Deeply interested and even flattered, I submitted to my strange
visitor all the treasures of my mind, experience and talent. With
enthusiasm I related to her the edifying story of my life, constantly
illuminating every detail with a ray of the Great Purpose. (In this I
availed myself partly of the material on which I had just been working,
preparing my lectures.) The passionate attention with which the strange
lady listened to my words, the frequent, deep sighs, the nervous
quiver of her thin fingers in her black gloves, her agitated
exclamations--inspired m