“This part of the performance was suddenly terminated; for the sleeping subject placed himself in the exact spot in which the Italian had stood, and, like him, gazed steadily at the mirror, and in twenty seconds the man who stood in the line of reflection fell to the floor, and a lady who, in going to his assistance, chanced to strike that line, instantly seized, raised him as easily as if he had been a doll, and with him commenced a dance unique, wild and perfectly indescribable. It was infectious, for in less than half a minute seventeen persons, high lords and stately dames, were wheeling, whirling, leaping, flying about the room in wilder measures than were ever performed by mad Bachantes. They had all been magnetized by proxy.
“Astonished beyond measure at this extraordinary display, I retired, the better to watch the progress of the strange scene, to the opposite side of the saloon, and leaned carelessly against one of two colossal Japanese josses that stood there. No person was anywhere near me, and in my surprise I murmured below my breath: ‘What astonishing power!’ and am certain that a person standing close at my side could not have discerned what I said, yet nevertheless the thought was scarcely framed before the Count turned square upon his heel, advanced straight toward me, smiled sweetly, strangely, as he did so, and said: ‘All this power is yours—and much that is still more mysterious—if you but say the word!’
“ ‘What word?’ asked I, surprised that a man should so readily read my thought—for it is impossible that he could have heard my exclamation.
“ ‘That you will voluntarily join the most august fraternity that ever earth contained! Think of it! We shall meet again.’
“ ‘When? where?’ I asked hurriedly, for the august company were observing us, especially the Emperor, who, beneath his heavy brows, was evidently paying quite as much attention to us as to the wonderful things then occurring across the room.
“He did not reply directly, but, by a continuation of his breach of etiquette resumed, saying: ‘By the exercise of the power I possess, and will impart to you, conditionally; you shall be capable of depriving any man of speech, and make man, woman or child perfectly subservient to your silent command, as the people yonder are to mine. There is Jean Boyard, in this Paris, who merely looks at any small object, and makes it dance toward him. You shall exceed him fifty-fold! On the Boulevart du Temple M. Hector produces a full-blown rose from a green bud, in seven minutes; you shall be able to do it in one.
“ ‘In the Rue de Bruxelles lives a girl—Julie Vimart—who exceeds Alexis and all the other sleepers, for she beats you at chess, tells you all you know, and much that you have forgotten; you shall do all that and more. In the street Grand Père, lives a boy who brings messages from the living, in their sleep; meets and converses with your friends—when they slumber, and describes them as perfectly as the sun paint their portraits in the cameras of Talbot and Dagguerre; you shall have that power.
“ ‘In the Rue du Jour, is a Sage Femme, who cures all diseases that are curable, by a simple touch and prayer: you shall have that power greater than she can ever hope to. It is only necessary to say ‘I will have these powers!’ and they shall be yours. They all are well worth having. I learned my secret among the magi of the East—men not half so civilized as are we of the West; but who, nevertheless, know a great deal more than the sapient men of Christendom—that is, less of machinery, politics, and finance; but a great deal more of the human soul, its nature, its powers, and the methods of their developement. Instead of being surprised at modern scientific revelations, we of the True Temple——’ ‘What Temple?’ I interrupted him to ask. ‘Of the Supreme Dome of the Rosie Cross,’ said he.
“The Emperor must have heard this question and its answer, for he directly crossed over to us, and actually joined this curious tête-à-tête. The Count bowed; did not seem at all embarrassed by the presence of the son of Admiral Verhuiel, the great Dutch founder of the Second Empire—or Emperor ——.
“ ‘As I was saying,’ the Count resumed, ‘instead of being elated at what Western science has done, we are ashamed of the tardy steps of “Progress”—Progress indeed! Where is it, save in wretchedness, poverty, crime, selfishness, and in the accrement of misery. Progress is more fancied than real. Civilization is a misnomer, utilitarianism a desecration of man’s soul, Philosophy an imposture, and learning altogether false!’