In one word, I want you to be in a position, before the week is out, to put Miss Burnham's present conviction to a practical test.

Suppose you could say to her, 'We differ, my dear, about Mr.
Francis Aldersley.

You declare, without the shadow of a reason for it, that he is certainly dead, and, worse still, that he has died by the act of one of his brother officers.

I assert, on the authority of the newspaper, that nothing of the sort has happened, and that the chances are all in favor of his being still a living man.

What do you say to crossing the Atlantic, and deciding which of us is right--you or I ?' Do you think Miss Burnham will say No to that, Mrs.Crayford?
If I know anything of human nature, she will seize the opportunity as a means of converting you to a belief in the Second Sight." "Good Heavens, doctor! do you mean to tell me that we are to go to sea and meet the Arctic Expedition on its way home ?" "Admirably guessed, Mrs.Crayford! That is exactly what I mean." "But how is it to be done ?" "I will tell you immediately.