"I do not understand," said Pierre, feeling with dismay doubts reawakening.

He was afraid of any want of clearness, any weakness, in the Mason's arguments; he dreaded not to be able to believe in him.

"I don't understand," he said, "how it is that the mind of man cannot attain the knowledge of which you speak.

" The Mason smiled with his gentle fatherly smile.

"The highest wisdom and truth are like the purest liquid we may wish to imbibe," he said.