"Yet," suggested the voice of Conscience, "are you so sure that this life _is_ departed?
Have you not at whiles felt its presence, that mysterious presence of the dead, so sweet, so heavy, and so unmistakable, with which at some time or other in their lives many have made acquaintance?
Will not the study of this life cause that life to draw near?
the absorption of those thoughts bring about the visits of other and greater thoughts, whereof they may have been, as it were, the seed ?" Anyone who knew its author would be interested to read this human document, the product of an intelligence singularly bright and clear; of a vision whose point of outlook was one of the highest and most spiritual peaks in the range of our human imaginings.

"Quite so," agreed the voice of Conscience.

"For instance, Mary would be delighted.

Why not begin with her?
In fact, why not peruse these pages together--it would lead to some interesting arguments?
Why pore over them in this selfish manner all alone and at the dead of night when no one can possibly disturb you, or, since you have blocked the hagioscope, even see you?
And why does the door of that safe stand open?
Because of the risk of fire if anyone should chance to come in with a candle, I suppose.

No, of course it would not be right to leave such books about; especially as they do not belong to you." Then enraged, or at least seriously irritated, by these impertinent comments of his inner self upon himself, Morris bade Conscience to be gone to its own place.