"I pretend not to see any more than is permitted to man; or, rather, more than his powers can comprehend; but this proves nothing, as the elephant understands more than the horse, and the horse more than the fish.

There is a principle which pervades everything which we call Nature; and this it is which has produced these whirling worlds and all the mysteries of creation.

One of its laws is, that nothing it produces shall comprehend its secrets." "You have only to fancy your principle a spirit, a being with mind, Raoul, to have the Christian's God.

Why not believe in him as easily as you believe in your unknown principle, as you call it?
You know that you exist--that you can build a lugger--can reason on the sun and stars, so as to find your way across the widest ocean, by means of your mind; and why not suppose that some superior being exists who can do even more than this?
Your principles can be thwarted even by yourself--the seed can be deprived of its power to grow--the tree destroyed; and, if principles can thus be destroyed, some accident may one day destroy creation by destroying its principle.

I fear to speak to you of revelation, Raoul, for I know you mock it!" "Not when it comes from _thy_ lips, dearest.