De L'Ester—Now place your hands over his eyes. Ah, how readily he yields.
Instructor—What ails you, Phrysos? Why, I believe he is falling into a swoon. Phrysos! Phrysos! Trissa̤, hasten for a cup of water. Raise a window, Avilla the air may be too close.
De L'Ester—Rapidly but distinctly follow my dictation.
Gentola—I am one who already hath spoken to thy friend, Prince Dano, of a new and glorious Revelation which very soon will be given to the peoples of Ento. Thou hearest my voice but seest not my form standing near thee, even as thou shalt stand near Dano as a Priest of the new Revelation. I am Gentola̤. Remember and fear not.
Instructor—Thanks, Trissa̤. It was but a momentary faintness, probably occasioned by the oppressive atmosphere.
Why, Phrysos, really we thought you were about to swoon; you whose boast is that you never have known a moment's illness. Was it the closeness of the atmosphere that occasioned the attack?
Phrysos—I cannot say what occasioned it. I fancied I heard a voice coming from some one or somewhere, and I grew faint. No, I was not unconscious, but could not open my eyes or reply to your inquiries. It must have been occasioned by the closeness of the atmosphere. You will excuse me and I will walk about, and in a few moments I shall recover myself.
Evylon—To what strange days have we come. Phrysos, one of our athletes; Phrysos, one of our brightest and closest students, attacked much as was Prince Dano. Yes, I was in the art studio when Dano became unconscious, and when he was revived he spoke strange words which surprised and shocked all who heard them. But, evidently, Phrysos was not unconscious, for his countenance expressed great surprise and lively emotion. He says that he seemed to hear a voice, but we heard no sound. I pray the Gods that no such attack may seize any of us.
De L'Ester—Touch this youth's hands. First the right, now the left hand. See how he stares and rubs one over the other. Touch them again. Greatly excited he springs to his feet, exclaiming, "Something has touched me! Touched me twice on my hands! No, I see nothing that could have caused the sensation. I fear that my sympathy for Phrysos has rendered me imaginative. I, too, pray you excuse me and soon I shall walk off all morbid fancies."
Instructor—As our lesson is concluded we will join you. You do well not to yield to what you very properly term morbid fancies. It is well understood that one mind can affect another mind, and then the question arises, what is mind? Fra̤tos, one of our most learned and brilliant thinkers, declares that——