e rapidly," he went on, "and I am still a young man.
Before I die, it is my ambition to leave behind me the first text-book
on this new science, the first real and logical attempt to enunciate
absolute laws."

"It is all very wonderful," she said, sighing gently. "Do you think
that I shall understand any more about it when I have read these
books?"

"I am sure that you will," he answered. "You have intelligence. You
have sensibility. You are not afraid to believe--that is the trouble
with most people."

"Answer me one question," she begged. "All these fortune-telling
people who have sprung up round Bond Street--I mean the palmists and
crystal-gazers, and people like that--do they proceed upon any
knowledge whatever, or are they all absolute humbugs?"

"To the best of my belief," he answered fervently, "every one of them.
Personally, I haven't very much information, but it has not come under
my notice that there is a single one of these people who even attempts
to probe the future scientifically or even intelligently, according to
the demands made upon them. They impose as much as they can upon the
credulity of their clients. I consider that their existence is
absolutely the worst possible thing for us who are endeavouring to
gain a foothold in the scientific world. Your friend Mr. Rochester,
you know, called me a charlatan."

"Mr. Rochester is never unjust," she answered quietly. "Some day,
perhaps, he will take that word back."

He tried to give their conversation a more personal note, but he found
her elusive. She accepted an invitation, however, to be present at a
lecture which he was giving before another learned society during the
following week. With that he felt that he ought to be content.
Nevertheless, he left her a little dissatisfied. He was perfectly well
aware that the magnetism which he was usually able to exert over her
sex had so far availed him nothing with her. Her eyes met his freely,
but without any response to the things which he was striving to
express. She had seemed interested all the time, but she had dismissed
him without regret. He walked homewards a little thoughtfully. If only
she were a little like Lois!

As he passed the entrance to the Park, an electric brougham was
suddenly pulled up, and a lady leaned forward towards him. He stepped
up to her side, hat in hand. It was Lady Mary Rochester. She was
exquisitely gowned and hatted, with a great white veil which floated
gracefully a