As Madame de Fersen did not seem to understand my words, I explained to her the meaning which I attached to them, and spoke of the Sanscrit tradition.
Madame de Fersen thought I was joking.
I have already said that this tradition was written by my father in a book full of notes relating to one of his journeys to England.
Fortunately, this manuscript was in my carriage, for quite recently I had sought in it some particulars in order to explain to Madame de Fersen certain customs which in Scotland are handed down from generation to generation.
At one of the relays, I went for the manuscript, and showed it to Madame de Fersen.
The date was so clear, the writing so faded, that Madame de Fersen could not doubt its authenticity.
I shall never forget the tearful look which Madame de Fersen fixed on me as she let the book fall on her lap.
Doubtless she experienced the same strange emotion I felt when I considered Irene's affection for Ivan and his death, with the writing of this extraordinary tradition:
"Those predestined to an early and violent death have the gift of fascinating children and lunatics."
Irene displayed for me the same fondness she had for Ivan. Might not my fate be the same?