Page:Marie Corelli - the writer and the woman (IA mariecorelliwrit00coat).pdf/95

 these monks, and listens to the recital of their seven Glorias:

"Glory to God, the Most High, the Supreme and Eternal!" And with one harmonious murmur of accord the brethren respond:

"Glory forever and ever! Amen!"

Vespers over, the monks leave their chapel, and immediately the agnostic poet is face to face with one who is presumably chief of the Order—the monk who had recited the Glorias. And who, indeed, is he? None other than the mystic scientist, the Heliobas of "A Romance of Two Worlds," who has now adopted this secluded monastic life. To him Theos Alwyn explains that he is miserable, and that, though an agnostic and searcher after absolute and positive proof, he desires for a time to be deluded into a state of happiness. So, the Parisian fame of Heliobas having reached him, this modern poet does not hesitate to seek from him a peace and happiness which neither his world of success nor his agnostic opinions can give him. From Heliobas he learns that this strange monk possesses a certain spiritual force which can overpower and subdue material force—that he can release the poet's soul—"that is, the Inner Intelligent Spirit which is the actual You"—from its house of