"Is it true that you can disintegrate your bodies? I have heard that you profess to do so, if so have you disintegrated Adrian?--oh, what am I talking about? it is madness, insanity, this playing with the supernatural--I do not believe in the powers you say you possess--Adrian is in hiding, afraid of the consequences of his folly--when he sees my advertisement, he will return--I'm sure he will." "I'm afraid not," said Adrian sadly, knowing how impossible it was such a thing could happen. "What do you know about it?" she cried fiercely, wheeling round on him with a look of suspicion in her eyes, "he could not have come to you for concealment--he did not know you--such things cannot occur in real life." Adrian took a sudden resolution, and rising to his feet, advanced towards her and seized her by the wrist. "Listen to me, Miss Maunders," he said gravely, "there is more in this occult science than you dream of, the age of miracles is not past, they are happening every day--your lover thought he had committed a crime and disappeared--he vanished into the night and the darkness hides him--you want to know where he is--I cannot tell you--he has no doubt been punished as you suggest--how, it is impossible to explain--but I will go to work and perchance may restore Adrian Lancaster to your arms." "And your reward for this?" she asked disbelievingly. "Your love," he said softly, forgetting for the moment who he was. Olive Maunders tore herself from his arms with a cry. "No! no! anything but that," she said with an expression of anger. "What would be the good of your returning Adrian to me if I lose him again, by becoming your wife?--be generous, Dr. Roversmire, you are a learned man far above me in knowledge and wisdom, if you can do what you say, I will ever look upon you as my friend." "I ask for bread and you give me a stone," said Adrian sadly; "well, so be it, I will try and find your lover and in return I ask your--friendship." He held out his hand and she clasped it in both of hers. "I must go back to town," he said after a short silence. "Say good-bye to your father for me." "What are you going to do?" she asked quickly. He turned towards her in some surprise. "I am going to try and find Adrian Lancaster," he replied quietly, and with a bow left the room at once, while she stood staring idly at the brilliant group on the lawn, and wondered how they could laugh and jest so carelessly while her life's happiness was at stake. Chapter IX. The Philosophy Of Mr. Dentham