But supposing that you possess those powers, as I think in English, and you do not know English, how can you interpret what is passing in my mind ?" "Perhaps you have been teaching me English all this while without knowing it, Bickley.

In any case, it matters little, seeing that what I read is the thought, not the language with which it is clothed.

The thought comes from your mind to mine--that is, if I wish it, which is not often--and I interpret it in my own or other tongues." "I am glad to hear it is not often, Lady Yva, since thoughts are generally considered private." "Yes, and therefore I will read yours no more.

Why should I, when they are so full of disbelief of all I tell you, and sometimes of other things about myself which I do not seek to know ?" "No wonder that, according to the story in the pictures, those Nations, whom you named Barbarians, made an end of your people, Lady Yva." "You are mistaken, Bickley; the Lord Oro made an end of the Nations, though against my prayer," she added with a sigh.
Then Bickley departed in a rage, and did not appear again for an hour.
"He is angry," she said, looking after him; "nor do I wonder.

It is hard for the very clever like Bickley, who think that they have mastered all things, to find that after all they are quite ignorant.