A Romance of Two Worlds

A NOVEL.

BY MARIE CORELLI,

Author of "Thelma," "Ardath," "Vendetta," Etc.





A ROMANCE OF TWO WORLDS.

PROLOGUE.


We live in an age of universal inquiry, ergo of universal
scepticism. The prophecies of the poet, the dreams of the
philosopher and scientist, are being daily realized--things formerly
considered mere fairy-tales have become facts--yet, in spite of the
marvels of learning and science that are hourly accomplished among
us, the attitude of mankind is one of disbelief. "There is no God!"
cries one theorist; "or if there be one, _I_ can obtain no proof of
His existence!" "There is no Creator!" exclaims another. "The
Universe is simply a rushing together of atoms." "There can be no
immortality," asserts a third. "We are but dust, and to dust we
shall return." "What is called by idealists the SOUL," argues
another, "is simply the vital principle composed of heat and air,
which escapes from the body at death, and mingles again with its