It was like a vision in a crystal--if such a thing could exist.

I saw the whole past scene.

The bare room--the old dead man--myself; the overwhelming wish to avenge my wrongs, and the sudden suggestion that turned the wish cold.

I saw the long, bleak night in which I completed the colossal task of copying the Scitsym line for line; I saw the gray morning steal in across the room as I closed the book, returned it to its safe and replaced the key on my uncle's neck in preparation for the arrival of the Arch-Councillor.

It all passed before my mind, and then in a flash was gone.