ile he was trifling in a listless way with his breakfast, there
called to see him the only priest in whose judgment, purity, and
religious fervor he had any confidence. It is probable, to such an
extent was his mind engrossed by the subject, that no matter who might
have called, he would have discussed the extraordinary conduct of Prince
Pomerantseff with him; but insomuch as the visitor chanced to be the
very man best calculated to direct his judgment in the matter, he,
without unnecessary delay, laid the whole affair before him.

"You see, _mon cher_," said Gerard in conclusion, "my position is just
this: It appears to me that this person, whom I will not name, has been
trifled with by Home and other so-called spiritualists to such an extent
that his mind is really in danger. Now, although of course we are
forbidden to have any dealings with such people, or to participate in
any way in their infamous, foolish, and unholy practices, surely it
would be the act of a Christian if a clear, healthy-minded man were to
expose the fraud, and thus save to society a man of such transcendent
ability as my friend. Moreover, should I determine to accept his mad
invitation, I hardly think I could be said to participate in any of the
scandalous and perhaps blasphemous rites he may have to perform to bring
about the supposed result. What do you think of it, and what do you
advise?"

His friend walked up and down the room for a few minutes, turning the
matter over carefully in his mind, and then, coming up to where the Abbe
lay lazily stretched upon a lounge, he said earnestly,

"_Mon cher_ Henri, I am very glad you have asked me about this. It
appears to me that your duty is quite clear. You perhaps have it in your
power, as you yourself have seen, to save, not only, as you say, a
_mind_, but what I wish I could feel you prized more highly--a soul. You
must accept the invitation."

The Abbe rose in delight at having found another man who, taking the
responsibility off his shoulders, commanded him as a duty to indulge his
ardent curiosity.

"But," continued the other in a solemn voice, "before accepting, you
must do one thing."

The Abbe threw himself back on the lounge in disgust.

"Oh, pray, of course," he exclaimed petulantly. "I am quite aware of
that."

"Not only pray, but _fast_, and that for seven days at least, my dear
brother."

This was a very disagreeable view of the matter, but the Abbe was equal
to the occasion