He looked at Bouvard with a bewildered air; but Bouvard and the Swedenborgian, who were accustomed to the amazement of sceptics, were speaking together in a low voice and appeared not to notice him.

Minoret begged them to allow him to return after dinner.

The old philosopher wished to compose his mind and shake off this terror, so as to put this vast power to some new test, to subject it to more decisive experiments and obtain answers to certain questions, the truth of which should do away with every sort of doubt.
"Be here at nine o'clock this evening," said the stranger.

"I will return to meet you." Doctor Minoret was in so convulsed a state that he left the room without bowing, followed by Bouvard, who called to him from behind.

"Well, what do you say?
what do you say ?" "I think I am mad, Bouvard," answered Minoret from the steps of the porte-cochere.