the cool murmur of the water, while around, the pine wood, the court,
the whole place, were glowing in the early afternoon sun.

The doctor had complacently brought with him the vial of nerve
substance, which he looked at as it stood on the table.

"So, then, mademoiselle," he resumed, with an air of brusque
pleasantry, "you do not believe in my elixir of resurrection, and you
believe in miracles!"

"Master," responded Clotilde, "I believe that we do not know
everything."

He made a gesture of impatience.

"But we must know everything. Understand then, obstinate little girl,
that not a single deviation from the invariable laws which govern the
universe has ever been scientifically proved. Up to this day there has
been no proof of the existence of any intelligence other than the
human. I defy you to find any real will, any reasoning force, outside
of life. And everything is there; there is in the world no other will
than this force which impels everything to life, to a life ever
broader and higher."

He rose with a wave of the hand, animated by so firm a faith that she
regarded him in surprise, noticing how youthful he looked in spite of
his white hair.

"Do you wish me to repeat my 'Credo' for you, since you accuse me of
not wanting yours? I believe that the future of humanity is in the