"He's a remarkable man," said Malling almost with enthusiasm.
"Yes. He's finding his way to the truth rather by the pathway of science than by the pathway of faith. But he's a man I respect. And I believe he'll get out into the light. You've done a great deal of work for him, I understand, in—in occult directions."
"I have made a good many careful investigations at his suggestion."
"Exactly. Now"—Mr. Harding paused, seemed to make an effort, and continued—"we know very little even now, with all that has been done, as to—to the possibilities—I scarcely know how to put it—the possibilities of the soul."
"Very little indeed," rejoined Malling.
He was considerably surprised by his companion's manner, but was quite resolved not to help him out.
"The possibilities of one soul, let us say, in connection with another," continued the rector, almost in a faltering voice. "I often feel as if the soul were a sort of mysterious fluid, and that when we what is called influence another person, we, as it were, submerge his soul fluid in our own, as a drop of water might be submerged in an ocean."
"Ah!" said Malling, laconically.
Mr. Harding shot a rather sharp glance at him.
"You don't object to my getting on this subject, I hope?" he observed.