element, manifests itself beyond its ordinary sphere of operation, and so occasions results unlike the usual phenomena of life, though, of course, in accordance with natural laws.  To use a simile:  it is, in such cases, as if all the nerves of the human body came crowding to the surface, and there exposed themselves to a thousand influences, from which they would otherwise be preserved.  Of course I am not attempting to explain, only to suggest a conceivable hypothesis.  Upon such constitutions, it would not be surprising that certain other constitutions, similar, yet differing, should exercise a peculiar influence.  You are, I dare say, more or less familiar with the main features of mesmerism and its allies, among which is what is called biology.  I presume it is on such constitutions as I have supposed, that those powers are chiefly operative.  Miss Cameron has, at some time or other in her history, submitted herself to the influences of this Count Halkar; and he has thus gained a most dangerous authority over her, which he has exercised for his own ends.”

“She more than implied as much in the last conversation I had with her.”

“So his will became her law.  There is in the world of mind a something corresponding to physical force in the material world. —­ I cannot avoid just touching upon a higher analogy.  The kingdom of heaven is not come, even when God’s will is our law:  it is come when God’s will is our will.  While God’s will is our law, we are but a kind of noble slaves; when his will is our will, we are free children.  Nothing in nature is free enough to be a symbol for the state of those who act immediately from the essence of their hidden life, and the recognition of God’s will as that essence.  But, as I said, this belongs to a far higher region.  I only wanted to touch on the relation of the freedoms —­ physical, mental, and spiritual.  To return to the point in hand:  I recognise in the story a clear evidence of strife and partial victory in the affair of the ring.  The count —­ we will call him by the name he gives himself —­ had evidently been anxious for years to possess himself of this ring:  the probable reasons we have already talked of.  He had laid his injunctions on his slave to find it for him; and she, perhaps at first nothing loath, perhaps loving the man as well as submitting to him, had for a long time attempted to find it, but had failed.  The count, probably doubting her sincerity, and hoping, at all events, to urge her search, followed her to Arnstead, where it is very likely he had been before, although he had avoided Mr. Arnold.  Judging it advantageous to get into the house, in order to make observations, he employed his chance meeting with you to that result.  But, before this, he had watched Miss Cameron’s familiarity with you —­ was jealous and tyrannical.  Hence the variations of her conduct to you; for when his power was upon her, she could not do as she pleased.  But she must have had a real regard for you; for she evidently refused to get you into trouble by taking the ring from your custody.  But my surprise is that the fellow limited himself to that one jewel.”