"A reason that might convince even you if you knew it."
"Convince me, of exactly what?" the doctor asked, indifferently.
His indifference seemed to pique Valentine, who replied with energy:
"That human will can be cultivated, has been developed, until it has moved the mountain, achieved the thing men call a miracle."
"By whom has it been so developed?"
Valentine hesitated almost like one who fears to be led into a trap. The doctor could see "By me!" trembling upon his lips. He didn't actually utter it, but instead exclaimed with a laugh:
"Some day you will discover."
And as he spoke he looked at Julian and the lady of the feathers. The doctor was anxious to lead him on, and leaning easily back in his comfortable chair, occupied himself with his cigarette for a minute, as a man calmly at ease. Between his whiffs he presently threw out carelessly:
"This man has compassed eternity by his own will?"
"Oh, I did not say that."