"Oh," she said joyously, "have you seen Him _yet_?" It embarrassed me to be forced to answer in the negative; it gave me a strange feeling, as if I had been a convict in the country, and denied the passport of honourable men. I therefore waived her question as well as I might, and proceeded to make known to her the thought which had been occupying me. "_You_ have the _entree_ of the dear earth," I said sadly. "They do not treat you in the--in the very singular manner with which I am treated. It is important beyond explanation that I get a message to my wife. A beggar in the street may be admitted to her charity,--I saw one at the door the night I stood there. I, only I, am forbidden to enter. Whatever may be the natural laws which are sot in opposition to me, they have extraordinary force; I can do nothing against them. I suppose I do not understand them. If I had an opportunity to study them--but I have no opportunities at anything. It is a new experience to me to be so--so disregarded by the general scheme of things. I seem to be of no more consequence in this place than a bootblack was in the world, or a paralytic person. It seems useless for me to fly in the face of fate, since this is fate. I have no hope of being able to reach my wife. You have privileges in this condition which are evidently far superior to mine. I have been thinking that possibly you may be able--and willing--to approach her for me?" "I don't think it would succeed, Doctor," replied my old patient quickly. "I'd _do_ it! You know I would! But if I were Helen--She is a very reserved person; she never talks about her husband, as different women do; her feeling is of such a sort; I do not think she would _understand_, if another woman were to speak from you to her." "Perhaps not," I sighed.