Part 37 (1/2)
The Doctor then went to the library, and returned with the volume of Kingsborough, in which was the picture which Leon had really copied.
When he showed this to the lad, he convinced him of his original proposition, that the hieroglyphical sculptures of his dream were but recollections of what he had seen in books. Thus he averted the threatening danger, and once more proved that, through his knowledge of psychical laws, he was an adept in controlling the minds of men.
Later in the day, Leon called at the home of Mr. Dudley, having been sent thither by the Doctor.
Doctor Medjora had given Leon a letter, with instructions to take it to the house, and if Mr. Dudley should be out, to await his return to deliver it and obtain a reply. In this he was actuated by a motive. He chose an hour when he knew certainly that the Judge would not be at home, though Agnes would. He wished Leon to be thrown into her society more often than circ.u.mstances had permitted heretofore. In the future, he intended so to arrange that the young people should meet more frequently. Dr. Medjora was willing to abide by the acts of Providence, as long as they aided his own designs; when they failed to do so, then he considered it time to control Providence, and guide it to his will.
When Leon was admitted into the reception-room at Judge Dudley's, he found Agnes reading. She laid aside her book and arose to greet him cordially. He explained the object of his visit, and that he would like to await the return of the Judge. Agnes therefore invited him to be seated. His great fondness for books led him to utilize her reading as a starting-point for conversation.
”I am sorry, Miss Dudley,” he began, ”that I have interrupted your reading. May I be permitted to ask what book you have?”
”Certainly!” she replied. ”I have been reading a novel!”
”Oh!” was all that Leon said, but the tone excited Agnes at once, for in it she thought she detected a covert sneer.
”Do you never read novels?” she asked.
”I have little time for anything but science. I think that I have read but two novels in my life.”
”May I ask what they were?”
”George MacDonald's _Malcolm_ from which I named my dog 'Lossy,' and a book called _Ardath_. I do not remember the name of the author.”
”_Ardath_, and you do not remember the name of the author? She would feel quite complimented at the impression made upon you, I am sure.
Perhaps you would like to refresh your memory?” Agnes spoke with a tone of triumphant satisfaction, as she handed to him the book which she held. He took it and read on the t.i.tle-page, ”_Ardath; The Story of a Dead Self_; by Marie Corelli.”
”This is a coincidence, is it not, Miss Dudley,” said Leon, returning the volume. ”I suppose it was very stupid of me to forget the author's name, but really I am so much more interested in the world of science, that romance has little attraction for me. In the one we deal in facts, while the other is all fiction.”
”Is that your estimate of the relation existing between the two,” said Agnes, with a twinkle in her eye. She always delighted in an argument, when she felt that she held the mastery of the situation, as she did now. Therefore she entered the combat, about to begin, with a zest equal to the love of debate which Leon possessed.
”You say that science deals only in facts. If you remember anything of _Ardath_, which is not probable, since you forget the writer, you may recall that in his wanderings through the city, Al-Kyris, Theos meets Mira-Khabur, the Professor of Positivism. The description of this meeting, and the conversation between the men is admirable, as a satire upon the claims of the scientists. Let me read to you one of the Professor's speeches. Theos has said:
”Then the upshot of all your learning sir, is that one can never be quite certain of anything?”
”Exactly so!” replied the pensive sage, with a grave shake of the head. ”Judged by the very finest lines of metaphysical argument you cannot really be sure whether you behold in me a Person, or a Phantasm! You _think_ you see me,--I _think_ I see you,--but after all it is only an _impression_ mutually shared--an impression which, like many another less distinct, may be entirely erroneous! Ah, my dear young sir! education is advancing at a very rapid rate, and the art of close a.n.a.lysis is reaching such a pitch of perfection, that I believe we shall soon be able logically to prove, not only that we do not actually exist, but, moreover, that we never have existed.”
”What have you to say to that?” asked Agnes closing the book, but keeping one finger between the leaves, to mark the place.
”Why,” said Leon, smiling, ”that it is a very clever paragraph, and recalls to my mind the whole scene. I think that, later, this same Professor of Positivism declares that the only thing he is positive of, is the 'un-positiveness of Positivism!'”
”Ah! Then you do remember some of the novel. That is a hopeful sign for novelists, I am sure. But, jesting aside, you have not defended your pet hobby, science, from the charge brought against her!”
”If you wish me to take you seriously, then of course I must do so.
What you have read, is clever, but not necessarily true. It is good in its place, and as used by the author. It typifies the character of the man, from whose mouth the words escape. But, in doing this, it shows us that he is merely the disciple of a school which depends for its existence upon bombast rather than true knowledge; upon sophistical cloudiness of expression rather than upon logical arguments, based upon reason and fact.”
”Ah! Now I have you back to your first statement, that science deals with facts. But is it not true, that by your logical arguments various and varying deductions are obtained by different students, all seeking these finalities, which you term facts? Then which of them all is the true fact, and which is mere speculation?”
”I am afraid, Miss Dudley, that you have asked me a question which I am scarcely qualified to answer. All I can say is, that so long as matters are in dispute, we can have no knowledge of what is the truth.
In speaking of facts, I only alluded to those proven hypotheses, which have been finally accepted by all scientists. Those are the facts of which science boasts.”
”Yes, many of them are accepted for a decade, and then cast aside as exploded errors. But come, I do not wish to argue too strongly against science. I love it too well. What I prefer to do, is to defend my other hobby, romance; that which you called fiction. I will give you a paradox. I claim that there is more fact in good fiction, and more real fiction in accepted fact, than is generally credited.”
”I am afraid I do not comprehend what you mean,” said Leon, very much puzzled. He was growing interested in this girl who talked so well.