twist in his brain, or let us say a 'fad' about spiritual matters;
but in one of your more or less fantastic and extravagant theories
I am half disposed to believe, and that is the notion you have of
the possibility of some natures, male and female, having met
before in a previous state of existence and under different forms,
such as birds, flowers, or forest animals, or even mere
incorporeal breaths of air and flame. It is an idea which I
confess fascinates me. It seems fairly reasonable too, for, as
many scientists argue that you cannot destroy matter, but only
transform it, there is really nothing impossible in the
suggestion."

He paused, then added slowly as he flung the end of his cigar
away:

"I have felt the force of this odd fancy of yours most strongly
since I met the Princess Ziska."

"Indeed! Then the impression she gave you first is still upon you-
-that of having known her before?"

Gervase waited a minute or two before replying; then he answered:

"Yes. And not only of having known her before, but of having loved
her before. Love!--mon Dieu!--what a tame word it is! How poorly
it expresses the actual emotion! Fire in the veins--delirium in
the brain--reason gone to chaos! And this madness is mildly
described as 'love?'"

"There are other words for it," said the Doctor. "Words that are