"A foolish and unnecessary question, for I had heard it distinctly, and it was already deeply rooted in my mind.
"'Avicia,' they replied.
"Silvain drew a long breath.
"'Kristel,' he said to his brother.
"'Yes,' said Kristel, in a dreamy tone.
"'She is no shadow.'
"'No, she lives.'
"'I have dreamt of her exactly as she is, exactly as she stands at the present moment.'
"'You have dreamt of her, Silvain!' exclaimed Kristel, in the same soft dreamy tone. 'Impossible.'
"'It is true. I described her to Louis.'