forces set up by the malign influences of others around you will not only attack your happiness, but your health, break down your strength and murder your peace.  Love is the only glory of Life,—­the Heart and Pulse of all things,—­a possession denied to earth’s greatest conquerors—­a talisman which opens all the secrets of Nature—­a Divinity whose power is limitless, and whose benediction bestows all beauty, all sweetness, all joy!  Bear this in mind, and never forget how such a gift is grudged to those who have it by those who have it not!”

Reading thus far, a light began to break in upon me.  Had not all the weird and inexplicable experience of the past hours (or days) tended to shake me from Love and destroy my allegiance to the ideal I cherished?  And—­had I yielded to the temptation?  Had I failed?  I dared not estimate either failure or success!

Leaving my place at the window, I saw that the little ‘lift’ or dresser in the wall had come up noiselessly with its usual daintily prepared refection of fruit and bread and deliciously cool spring water.  I had felt neither hunger nor thirst during my strange wanderings in unknown places, but now I was quite ready for a meal, and enjoyed it with all the zest of an unspoilt appetite.  When I had finished, I returned to my precious book, and placing it on the table, I propped up my head between my two hands and set myself resolutely to study.  And I write down here the passages I read, exactly as I found them, for those who care to practise the lessons they teach.

FREE-WILL

“The exercise of the Will is practically limitless.  It is left unfettered so that we may be free to make our own choice of life and evolve our own destiny.  It can command all things save Love, for Love is of God and God is not subject to authority.  Love must be born in the Soul and of the Soul.  It must be a dual flame,—­that is to say, it must find its counterpart in another Soul which is its ordained mate, before it can fulfil its highest needs.  Then, like two wings moved by the same soaring impulse, it assists the Will and carries it to the highest heaven.  Through its force life is generated and preserved—­without it, life escapes to other phases to find its love again.  Nothing is perfect, nothing is lasting without the light and fire of this dual flame.  It cannot be willed either to kindle or to burn; it must be born of itself and in itself, and shed its glory on the souls of its own choice.  All else is subject to order and command.  Love alone is free.”

POWER