'I have printed the English version in large letters,' he said, 'so
that any would-be despoiler must see it and read it at once by the
dimmest lantern light.'

'But, father,' I said, 'is it possible that you, an educated man,
really believe in the efficacy of a curse?'

'If the curse comes straight from the heart's core of a man, as this
curse comes from mine, Hal, how can it fail to operate by the mere
force of will? The curse of a man who loved as I love upon the wretch
who should violate a love-token so sacred as this--why, the
disembodied spirits of all who have loved and suffered would combine
to execute it!'

'Spirits!' I said. 'Really, father, in times like these to talk of
spirits!'

'Ah, Henry!' he replied, 'I was like you once. I could once be
content with Materialism--I could find it supportable once; but,
should you ever come to love as I have loved (and, for your own
happiness, child, I hope you never may), you will And that
Materialism is intolerable, is hell itself, to the heart that has
known a passion like mine. You will And that it is madness, Hal,
madness, to believe in the word "never"! you will And that you
_dare_ not leave untried any creed, howsoever wild, that offers
the heart a ray of hope. Every object she cherished has become
spiritualised, sublimated, has become alive--alive as this amulet
is alive. See, the lights are no natural lights.' And again he held