“This was one side of the life-web I was weaving. But there came moments wherein enthusiasm was exchanged for something like sober-mindedness; and then intellect rejected most of what heart had drank in, and challenged the conclusions of my own and others’ in regard to the Phantom-Philosophy. People cried, ‘Inconsistent!’ ‘Variable!’ mistaking honesty for whim--and just as if anything or person was ever consistent! “In the present _séance_, logic held the reigns of mind, and I laughed, which Miakus observing, said: ‘Laugh on, laugh on; but you must be careful or the laugh will be against you. Truth is a dainty and a jealous dame, and never relishes practical jokes at her expense. But, look! the mirror begins to operate.’ And, instantly bending down, he veiled his face in both his hands, and remained thus for perhaps a minute, when he spoke, saying, ‘What see you in the glass?’ “‘Nothing,’ I replied, ‘but the images of ourselves.’ “‘Have patience! Look again! Try!’ “A short silence then followed, when-- “‘Do you see anything yet?’ “‘Yes; but nothing extraordinary. Only a clear spot--an atmospheric-looking aperture in the centre of the glass. Yes! now there comes a change--faint, misty, dusky shadows flit across; but nothing positive or distinct.’ “‘Is that all?’ “‘It is.’ “‘Look again.’ “‘Clearly and distinctly I see the fore-quarters of a large greyish-white dog. It grows! Now it is complete! The image stands out, bold and clear, _from the mirror_!’ “So perfect was this appearance, that I could not realize that it was a phantasm. The thing was impossible. It looked like the reflection of a dog in a looking-glass, and I actually turned my head, not to look for the dog, but for the picture of one upon the wall, that might have caused the image in the mirror. There was no such picture. The old man enjoyed my surprise, and muttered--