It is very difficult for a man of this type to die at all.

Granted favourable conditions--and barring accidents caused by the carelessness of others--he ought to be one of those destined to live for ever.

But"-- here he hesitated--"if I am right in my surmise,--of course it is only a first opinion--death would be the very best thing for him." "Oh, why do you say that ?" she asked, pitifully.
"Because the brain is damaged--hopelessly! This man--whoever he is--has been tampering with some chemical force he does not entirely understand,--his whole body is charged with its influence, and this it is that gives his form its unnatural appearance which, though death-like, is not death.

If I leave him alone and untouched he will probably expire unconsciously in a few days,--but if--after what I have just told you--you wish me to set the life atoms going again,--even as a clock is wound up,--I can relax the tension which now paralyses the cells, muscles and nerves, and he will live--yes!--like most people without brains he will live a long time--probably too long!" Morgana moved to the bedside and gazed with a solemn earnestness at the immobile, helpless form stretched out before her as though ready for burial.

Her heart swelled with suppressed emotion,--she thought with anguish of the brilliant brain, the strong, self-sufficient nature brought to such ruin through too great an estimate of human capability.
Tears rushed to her eyes-- "Oh, give him life!" she whispered--"Give him life for the sake of the woman who loves him more than life!" The Professor gave her a quick, keen glance.
"You ?" She shivered at the question as though struck by a cold wind,--then conquering the momentary weakness, answered-- "No.