well pardon you if you are incredulous on reading this.

*⁠*⁠*⁠*

"'I am incredulous, indeed,' I said to Maude. 'Can it be really true that I have been travelling with, talking to, entertaining a being who is not only not human, but not even earthly.'

'Well,' said Maude, 'I do believe it. There was always something about him of the supernatural I could not help shrinking from, and yet I liked him. He seemed so good and kind, and yet so mysterious. I am sure that what you have just been reading is quite true.'

"' But let us go on with this strange epistle,' I said, and continued reading.

*⁠*⁠*⁠*

"When I recovered myself I found myself alone on the moor. I thought at once it might be all a dream; that I had fallen asleep on the rocks, tired out by my walk, and dreamt this wonderful vision. I went home full of doubts, thinking over this extraordinary and unearthly scene. Was it, or was it not, a mere dream?

"Next morning Posela did not reappear until near midday. I found him alone in my study. At once I entered on the great ques-