In vain I called my usual sophistries to my aid.

In vain I pondered on the inscrutable nature of my peculiar faculty.

In vain I endeavoured to persuade myself, that, by telling the truth, instead of entitling myself to Ludloe's approbation, I should only excite his anger, by what he could not but deem an attempt to impose upon his belief an incredible tale of impossible events.

I had never heard or read of any instance of this faculty.

I supposed the case to be absolutely singular, and I should be no more entitled to credit in proclaiming it, than if I should maintain that a certain billet of wood possessed the faculty of articulate speech.