"William," the rector answered, "have I made religion so worthless? Have I held it so weakly that you feel that it cannot help you now?" "Oh, not at all," responded Mr. Denner, "not at all. I have the greatest respect for it,--I fear I expressed myself awkwardly,--the greatest respect; I fully appreciate its value, I might say its necessity, in the community. But--but if you please, Archibald, since you have kindly come to tell me of this--change, I should like to speak of it in our ordinary way; to approach the subject as men of the world. It is in this manner, if you will be so good, I should like to ask you a question. I think we quite understand each other; it is unnecessary to be anything but--natural." The clergyman took his place on the side of the bed, but he leaned his head on his hand, and his eyes were hidden. "Ask me anything you will. Yet, though I may not have lived it, William, I cannot answer you as anything but a Christian man now." "Just so," said Mr. Denner politely--"ah--certainly; but, between ourselves, doctor, putting aside this amiable and pleasing view of the church, you understand,--speaking just as we are in the habit of doing,--what do you suppose--what do you think--is beyond?" His voice had sunk to a whisper, and his eager eyes searched Dr. Howe's face. "How can we tell?" answered the rector. "That it is infinitely good we can trust; 'Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard'"--He stopped, for Mr. Denner shook his head with a fine sort of impatience. "If you please, doctor!" The rector was silent. "I have wondered about it often," the other continued. "I have expected--this, for some days, and I have wondered. Think how strange: in a few days--almost a few hours, I shall know all, or--nothing! Yes, the mystery of all the ages will be mine!" There was a thrill of triumph in his feeble voice. "Think of that, doctor. I shall know more than the wisest man that lives,--I! I was never a very clever person, never very wise; and yet, here is a knowledge which shall not be too wonderful for me, and to which I can attain." He held up his little thin hand, peering at the light between the transparent fingers. "To think," he said slowly, with a puzzled smile, "to think that this is going to be still! It has never been any power in the world; I don't know that it has ever done any harm, yet it has certainly never done any good; but soon it will be still. How strange, how strange! And where shall I be? Knowing--or perhaps fallen on an eternal sleep. How does it seem to you, doctor? That was what I wanted to ask you; do you feel sure of anything--afterwards?" The rector could not escape the penetrating gaze of those strangely bright brown eyes. He looked into them, and then wavered and turned away. "Do you?" said the lawyer. The other put his hands up to his face a moment. "Ah!" he answered sharply, "I don't know--I can't tell. I--I don't know, Denner!"