"So can man; and, of the two, he is the more powerful in destruction. His work also is of a higher quality, because of the intelligence which directs it. He can go on or turn back. Nature creates forces which, apart from their creator, produce certain results--some beautiful and harmonious, some frightful and destructive. For these results nature is only indirectly responsible; the forces she creates work independently to their own end. When a great storm is about to burst, it is not in nature's power to will that it shall dissolve into gentleness. Hence, nature, all powerful up to a given point, is powerless beyond it." "And man?" "_Is_ all powerful. He wills and executes. He aspires to win, and he works to win. He desires, and he schemes to gratify his desire." I paused, and as Doctor Louis did not immediately reply, continued: "If there is not perfect accord between us in large contentious matters upon which the wisest scientists differ, that is no reason why there should not be between us a perfect friendship." "I am pleased to hear you say so; it means that you desire to retain my friendship." "I earnestly desire it." "And would make a sacrifice to retain it?" "Sacrifice of what?" "Of some wish that is dear to you," replied Doctor Louis. "That depends," I said. "In entering upon a serious obligation it behoves a man to be specific. Doctor, we are drifting from the subject which occupies your mind. Concentration would be of advantage to you in any information you wish to obtain from me." "The flower turns towards the sun," said Doctor Louis, after a pause, during which I knew that he was bringing himself back to the point he was aiming at, "and closes its leaves in the darkness. My view has been that man, though the highest in the scale, is not his own master; he is subject to the influences which affect lower grades of life. At the same time he has within him that with which no other form of life is gifted--discernment, and, as you have said, the power to advance or recede. It sometimes happens that an impulse, as noble as it is merciful, arrests his foot, and he says, 'No, I may bruise that flower,' and turns aside. You follow me?" "Yes--but you are still generalising. Question me more plainly upon what you desire to know." "You are a stranger among us?" "I was; I do not look upon myself as a stranger now. Here have I found peace and fitness. Do not forget that, out of your goodness and generosity, you have treated me with affection." "I do not forget it, and I pray that it may not lead to unhappiness." "It is also my prayer--though you must remember that one man often enjoys at another man's expense." "You have already told me something of yourself. Again I ask, what are you?" "An English gentleman." "Your father?" "He was the same." "Your mother?" "A lady." "Were you educated at a public school?" "No; my studies were conducted at home by private tutors. We lived a life of privacy, and did not mix with the world."