“What is this duty? Speak, henceforth I will obey none but thee.” “This duty,” answered the naiad, leaning towards me and speaking so low that I could with difficulty distinguish her voice from the fresh murmur of the waters, “is to obey thy father. And, afterwards, thou shalt tell the generous woman who wishes to sacrifice herself, that those whom she pities will always bless her, but will never accept her sacrifice. I know their thoughts, for they have summoned and consulted me. I know that they are fighting for their honor, but that they do not fear what men call poverty. For proud souls there is no such thing as poverty. Say this to the lady who will question thee to-morrow, and yield not to the love that she inspires so far as to make thee betray the religion of thy family.” “I will obey, I swear. And, now reveal to me the secrets of eternal life. Where is your soul now? What different qualities has it acquired in this removal?” “All that I can say is this: death does not exist—nothing dies; but things in the outer world are very different from what one imagines here. I will tell thee no more. Do not question me.” “Say at least if I shall see you in this other life.” “I know not.” “And in this?” “Yes, shouldst thou prove worthy.” “I will prove worthy. But tell me this much, since you can direct and counsel those who live in this world, can you not pity them?” “I can.” “And love them?” “I love them all as brothers with whom I have lived.” “Love one then above the others. He will perform miracles of courage and virtue if you will but interest yourself in him.” “Let him perform these miracles and he will find me in his thoughts. Adieu!” “Wait one moment! O heaven! One moment! It is said that you bestow a charmed ring upon those who have not offended you, as a pledge of your protection and as a means of evoking you. Is this true? And wilt you give it to me?” “Vulgar minds alone believe in magic. Thou couldst never put faith therein, thou who speakest of eternal life and who seekest divine truth. By what means could a soul that communicates with thee without the aid of real organs bestow upon thee a material and palpable object?” “Still I see a sparkling ring on your finger.” “I cannot perceive what thine eyes behold. What kind of a ring dost thou see?” “A large circle with an emerald in the form of a star, set in gold.” “It is strange thou shouldst see that,” said she, after a moment’s silence. “The involuntary workings of the human mind and the connection of its dreams with certain past deeds, perchance, include providential mysteries. The science of these inexplicable things belongs only to the One who knows the cause and the reason for everything. The hand that thou thinkest thou dost behold exists only in thine imagination. What is left of me in the tomb would fill thee with horror; but it may be that thou seest me such as I was on earth. Tell me how I appear to thee?”