It seems to me that false freedom of the soul is a chimera. Our most
unfettered resolves are called forth by unknown, often by outward
conditions, by our own peculiar qualities, by the state of our
bodily health, by unknown nervous sources of energy through what we
see, hear, read, learn. You make your judgment the sole guide of
your actions, but your judgment itself is the result of forces and
influences unsuspected by yourself and depending on them. Well! you
want to lead the life of a fakir, to unloose the ties binding you to
other men, that is one of several ways to secure peace and
happiness, which to me also is an object in life. The principal
thing is not to be superficial, but to consider both what one
requires and what one gives up before turning into a fakir. I
respect you in any case."
The drawing-room door opened noiselessly, and the Indian woman
appeared, and with a pleasant inclination of her head spoke a word
to Dr. Schrotter. He got up and said, "Lunch is ready." They went
into the adjoining dining-room, furnished like any ordinary room. On
the table was a beautiful silver bowl of Indian work filled with
flowers, the sole luxury of this bachelor's table, neither wine nor
anything else to drink being visible.
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