s apart. I have assumed your
habits, your manners, your language, the poise of your head, your
playful melancholy, your pride, your opinions, all, even to the colour
of your hair and your handwriting. Abel Larinski, I have become you: I
mistake, I am more Pole, more Larinski, than you were yourself."

At this moment Samuel Brohl had a singular expression of countenance;
his gaze was fixed. He was no longer of this world--he conversed with a
spirit; but he was neither terrified nor awed, as was Hamlet in talking
to the shade of his father. He treated familiarly the shade of the
true Abel Larinski; it was precisely as we treat a partner that has
transacted business with us in the same firm.

"It is very true, my dear Abel," he continued, "that the principle of
partnership accomplishes wonders; one man alone is a small affair. But,
of all partnerships, the most useful and convenient is the one that
we have made together. The living and the dead can render each other
important services, and they never quarrel. You should be satisfied; you
play a fine role; you are the signature of the house. We will not speak
of your gun; that was a poor speculation, for which I scarcely can
pardon you. It was the fault of your disordered brain that we wandered
off on that bypath, but, thanks be to Heaven! we have at last gained
the highway. Five weeks ago we met a woman, and what a woman! She has
velvety-brown eyes, whence glances well forth like fresh and living
waters. To praise her grace properly, I must borrow the language of the
'Song of Solomon': 'Thy lips, O my spouse! drop as the honey-comb; honey
and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the
smell of Lebanon. This thy stature is like to a palm-tree. Thou art all
fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. A garden inclosed is my sister,
my spouse: a spring shut up--a fountain sealed.' Some day she will cry
out, with the Shulamite, 'Let my beloved come into his garden, and
eat his pleasant fruits.' She belongs to us, my dear Larinski--my dear
partner; she had yielded, and you and I share the honour of the victory.
I presented myself before her, and my presence did not displease her. I
related to her your history, as you would have related it yourself,
with delicacy and simplicity, neither adding nor omitting. Her heart was
touched; her heart was taken captive. You will wed her--she will bear
your name; but you will marry her by proxy, and I shall be your pro