Jules Michel.

Evocation.

Answer. – I thank you for evoking me. I remember you and the walks you had us take in the parc Monceau.

And what do you say of your comrade Charles?

Answer. – Charles feels much grief at my death. But am I dead? I see, I live, I think as before, only I cannot touch myself, nor do I recognize anything of what surrounds me.

What do you see?

Answer. – I see a great brightness; my feet do not touch the ground; I glide; I feel myself drawn along. I see brilliant forms and others wrapped in white; they press upon me and surround me; some smile at me, others frighten me with their black looks.

Do you see your mother?

Answer. – Ah! yes. I see my mother, my sister and my brother. There they all are! My mother weeps much. I would like to speak to her as I speak to you; she would see that I am not dead. How then to do, to console her? I ask you to speak of me. I would also like you to tell Charles that I am going to enjoy myself a great deal watching him work.

Do you see your body?

Answer. – But, of course; I see it there, lying down, all stiff. Yet I am not in that hole, since I find myself here.

Where are you, then?

Answer. – I am there, beside your table, on the right. I find it funny that you do not see me; I see you so well!

What did you feel when you left the body?

Answer. – I do not remember well what I felt then; I had a great headache and saw all sorts of things around me. I was completely numb; I wanted to move and could not; my hands were wet with sweat and I felt a great agitation in my body; then I felt nothing more and awoke quite relieved; I no longer suffered and was light as a feather. Then I saw myself in my bed and, nevertheless, I was not in it; I saw all the bustle they were making and I went elsewhere.

How did you know that I was calling you?

Answer. – I do not give myself much account of all this. I heard well that a little while ago you were calling me and I came immediately, because, as I said to Charles, you are not tiresome. Farewell, madam, until we meet again. I will come back to speak to you, is that not so?