“You have really no cause for nervousness now that it is all over,” remarked the sage, who had not descended from his perch on the table.  “He is very well.  It is one of those cases which are interesting as being new, or at least only partially investigated.  We may as well speak in confidence, Unorna, for we really understand each other.  Do you not think so?”

“That depends on what you have to say.”

“Not much—­nothing that ought to offend you.  You must consider, my dear,” he said, assuming an admirably paternal tone, “that I might be your father, and that I have your welfare very much at heart, as well as your happiness.  You love this man—­no, do not be angry, do not interrupt me.  You could not do better for yourself, nor for him.  I knew him years ago.  He is a grand man—­the sort of man I would like to be.  Good.  You find him suffering from a delusion, or a memory, whichever it be.  Not only is this delusion—­let us call it so—­ruining his happiness and undermining his strength, but so long as it endures, it also completely excludes the possibility of his feeling for you what you feel for him.  Your own interest coincides exactly with the promptings of real, human charity.  And yours is in reality a charitable nature, dear Unorna, though you are sometimes a little hasty with poor old Keyork.  Good again.  You, being moved by a desire for this man’s welfare, most kindly and wisely take steps to cure him of his madness.  The delusion is strong, but your will is stronger.  The delusion yields after a violent struggle during which it has even impressed itself upon your own senses.  The patient is brought home, properly cared for, and disposed to rest.  Then he wakes, apparently of his own accord, and behold! he is completely cured.  Everything has been successful, everything is perfect, everything has followed the usual course of such mental cures by means of hypnosis.  The only thing I do not understand is the waking.  That is the only thing which makes me uneasy for the future, until I can see it properly explained.  He had no right to wake without your suggestion, if he was still in the hypnotic state; and if he had already come out of the hypnotic state by a natural reaction, it is to be feared that the cure may not be permanent.”

Unorna had listened attentively, as she always did when Keyork delivered himself of a serious opinion upon a psychiatric case.  Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he finished.

“If that is all that troubles you,” she said, “you may set your mind at rest.  After he had fallen, and while the watchman was getting the carriage, I repeated my suggestion and ordered him to wake without pain in an hour.”

“Perfect!  Splendid!” cried Keyork, clapping his hands loudly together.  “I did you an injustice, my dear Unorna.  You are not so nervous as I thought, since you forgot nothing.  What a woman!  Ghost-proof, and able to think connectedly even at such a moment!  But tell me, did you not take the opportunity of suggesting something else?” His eyes twinkled merrily, as he asked the question.