And I related my dream and then read to them all the paper I had written. Everyone listened with the greatest eagerness and showed more interest, I thought, than the circumstances as I had related them called for, but I afterwards learned that they had excellent reasons for it. When breakfast was over I was glad to find that Thorwald seemed to be in no haste to go home. I began to feel an intense longing to see Avis, and I had planned, if Thorwald should insist on leaving too soon, to propose to Proctor that I would stay a few days and assist him in the observatory. The doctor and I soon found an opportunity to speak together privately, and he began: “So the voice of Avis was a little familiar to you?” “Yes,” I replied, “but I am not able to tell from what niche in memory’s hall it comes.” “Does it recall anything you heard or saw on the moon?” “That dreadful place? No, indeed,” I replied. “Are you going to bring up Mona again?” “You asked me never to mention that name again, and now you have spoken it.” “Well,” I asked, “will you forgive me for that foolish request if I will let you talk to me about her now?” “I am not anxious to talk about her,” the doctor answered, “especially as I know the topic is not a pleasant one to you.” Without noticing this last remark, I asked abruptly: “Was Mona a good singer?” “Fair.” “As good as Avis?” “I think so, though I am not a critic.” “Did I understand you to say she was handsome?” “Beautiful.” “And I fell in love with her?” “You had all the symptoms. But why do you insist on talking on such a disagreeable subject? Come, let’s go and find Proctor.” “Wait. One question more. Have you seen Avis?” “Yes.” “Who is she?” “I believe she is a friend of the family merely.” “Does she live here?” “She is staying here for the present.” “Is she beautiful, too?” “I shall leave you to be your own judge of that when you see her. Now, not another question.” “Well,” I said, as we started to find some of the others, “if the Mona of your imagination gives you as much pleasure as Avis has given me before I have seen her, I do not wonder that you cherish her memory.” This conversation left me still more anxious to see Avis, and I looked for her return every moment, but the morning passed and finally the day wore to its close without bringing us together. I did not like to make my strong desire known by asking after her, and, besides, I began to have a slight suspicion that there was some design in keeping us from meeting.