s temper, and you lessen the danger of apoplexy; that, I take it,
is an illustration of what you mean.

_Rollestone_. In its most external application it is; the question is
where his bad temper comes from, and whether, as Mr Germsell would
maintain, it is entirely due to his cerebral condition, and not to the
moral qualities inherent in the force, which, acting on peculiar cerebral
conditions, causes one man's temper to differ from another's. It is not
the liberated force which generates the temper. For that you have to go
farther back; and the reason why research is limited in this direction is
not because it is impossible to go farther back, but because it must
inevitably entail, as I have already said, acute personal suffering. Nor,
as these experiments must be purely personal, and involve experiences of
an entirely novel kind, is it possible to discuss them except with those
who have participated in them. One might as well attempt to describe the
emotion of love to a man whose affections had never been called forth. If
I have alluded to them so fully now, it is because they justify me in
making the assertion, for which I can offer no other proof than they have
afforded to me personally, that a force does exist in nature possessing
an inherent spiritual potency--I use the word spiritual for lack of a
better--which is capable of lifting humanity to a higher moral plane of
daily living and acting than that which it has hitherto attained. But I
fear I am trespassing on your patience in having said thus much.

_Lady Fritterly_. Oh no, Mr Rollestone; please go on. There is
something so delightfully fresh and original in all you are saying, I
can't tell you how much you interest me.

_Germsell_ [_aside_]. I know a milkmaid quite as fresh and rather more
original. [_Aloud_, _looking at his watch_.] Bless me! it is past six,
and I have an appointment at the club at six. So sorry to tear myself
away, dear Lady Fritterly. I can't tell you how I have enjoyed the
intellectual treat you have provided for me.

_Lady Fritterly_. I thank you so much for coming. I hope you will often
look in on our Sundays. I think, you know, that these little
conversations are so very improving.

_Germsell_. You may rely upon me; it is impossible to imagine anything
more interesting. [_Mutters as he leaves the room_.] No, Lady
Fritterly, this is the last time I enter this house, except perhaps to
dinner. You don't catch me