"If you act in your own strength it is. But all things are possible with God, and only in His strength do we conquer. Do not think of Narvaez as bad, for by doing so your angry thoughts add to the burden of evil he bears. Send thoughts of love and pity to refresh his struggling soul, which the animal forces are striving to overwhelm." "I am sorry for him in one way," murmured Alice. "At least I think that I am sorry." "You have every reason to be, but I don't think you truly are," said Eberstein dryly. "Because you read the letter of the commandment and do not comprehend the spirit. I cannot very well explain either to you or to Montrose, as your limitations are yet great. But I ask you both to pity the man and to hope that he may grow better." "Oh, I shall do that," said Douglas readily. "There is great room for improvement, isn't there?" "In Narvaez, as in you, and in Alice, and in Enistor. Who can afford to throw a stone at any one?" Montrose flushed a trifle at the implied rebuke, but never dreamed of defending himself, as he looked upon the doctor as an oracle to be listened to and obeyed with all reverence. Eberstein smiled approvingly when he noted how the young man curbed both thought and word, then changed the subject by commenting on the impressive looks of the house and its commanding situation. Alice was gratified to hear Tremore praised, but hinted at the uncomfortable atmosphere of the place. "I always feel as though I were battling against depression here, doctor. The rooms and furniture are both so sombre." "Every house has its own psychic atmosphere, which comes from the sayings and doings of those who live in it," explained the visitor. "I cannot say that the influence of this beautiful place tends to calm the spirit." Montrose agreed. "When I first came here I felt that it was a kind of battle-ground, full of tumult and war." "And so it is. Invisible forces of good and evil strive here continuously as I can feel. You sense them also, Alice, as you are more or less clairvoyant." "Yes, I know," admitted the girl, with a nervous glance round the room. "And the evil is stronger than the good, I fancy." "At present that is the case. But we must change the conditions and make this house a centre of holy power to bless instead of curse." "You will have to keep Narvaez out of the place then," observed Douglas abruptly. "And that will be difficult, as he is a friend of the Squire's." "Quite so," said Eberstein calmly. "I came here to aid Mr. Enistor, as well as to help you and Alice. He is being wrongly guided by Narvaez."