A man
may change greatly through outside influence, or perform occasional acts
foreign to his nature under the influence of 'suggestion' or hypnotism.
But I do not believe he can change radically and permanently, except from
one cause."
The last words were spoken after a moment of hesitation. Valentine
rejoined quickly:
"What? What? One cause, you say! You allow that--wait, though! What is
the cause?"
Doctor Levillier was silent. He was asking himself should he play this
forcing card, make this sharp, cutting experiment. He resolved that he
would make it.
"A man may change radically," he said, "if he becomes insane."
A short breath, like a sigh, came from Cuckoo. Valentine stood quite
still, regarding the doctor closely for a moment. Then he said
contemptuously:
"Mad! Oh, madmen don't interest me."
The doctor had gained nothing from his experiment. It was impossible
to gather from Valentine's manner that he was in any way struck by this
suggestion, and indeed he abandoned all allusion to it with careless
haste, and returned to that other suggestion of which the doctor
himself had thought nothing.
"Supposing the soul of a man to be expelled," he said, abruptly,
"where--where do you suppose it would go, would be?"
It was obvious that he endeavoured to speak lightly, but there was a most
peculiar anxiety visible in his manner.
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