think Helen would like
it, and I am perfectly certain Helen would not believe it."

"You cannot refuse to believe a truth because it does not happen to
appeal to your wife," said Aubrey. "Grasp it clearly yourself; then
educate her up to a proper understanding of the matter. All of us who
are worth anything in this world have lived before--not once, nor twice,
but many times. We bring the varied experiences of all previous
existences, unconsciously to bear upon and to enrich this one. Have you
not often heard the expression 'A born musician'? What do we mean by
that? Why, a man born with a knowledge, a sense, an experience, of
music, who does not require to go through the mill of learning all the
rudiments before music can express itself through him, because the soul
of music is in him. He plays by instinct--some folk call it inspiration.
Technical, skill he may have to acquire--his fingers are new to it. The
understanding of notation he may have to master again--the brain he uses
_consciously_ is also of fresh construction. But the sub-conscious self,
the _Ego_ of the man, the real eternal soul of him, leaps back with joy
to the thing he has done perfectly before. He is a born musician; just
as John the Baptist was a born prophet, because, into the little body
prepared by Zacharias and Elisabeth, came the great _Ego_ of Elijah
reincarnate; to reappear as a full-grown prophet on the banks of the
Jordan--the very spot from which he had been caught away, his life-work
only half-accomplished, nine centuries before. Even our good Helen, if
she knows her Bible, could hardly question this, remembering Whom it was
Who said: 'If ye will receive it, this _is_ Elijah which was for to
come; and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they
listed.'"

"Great Scott!" exclaimed Ronnie. "What a theory! But indeed Helen would
question it; and not only so, but she would be exceedingly upset and
very much annoyed."

"Then Helen would fully justify the 'If' of the greatest of all
teachers. She would come under the heading of those who refuse to
receive a truth, however clearly and unmistakably expressed."

"Lor!" exclaimed Ronnie, in undisguised perplexity. "You have
completely cornered me. But then I never set up for being a theologian."

"No; you are a born artist and musician. Music, tone, sound, colour,
vibrate in every page of your romances. Had your parents taught you
harmony, the piano, and the fiddle, your music