Now, when these words were spoken there fell a deep silence upon the crowd. No one spoke; no one looked up; they were awed; they could not realize what it meant that would be given them; they were suddenly relieved of a great terror, the constant dread that lies in man's heart, ever present, though we conceal it--the dread of Death; but they could not, in a moment, understand that it was given.
But the Director sprang to his feet, and grasped his brother physicist by the hand.
"Of all the sons of Science," he said, solemnly, "thou shalt be proclaimed the first and best."
The assembly heard these words, but made no sign. There was no applause--not a murmur, not a voice. They were stricken dumb with wonder and with awe. They were going to live--to live on--to live for centuries, nay, why not?--to live forever!
"You all know," the Professor continued, "how at a dinner a single glass of champagne revives the spirits, looses the tongue, and brings activity to the brain. The guests were weary; they were in decay; the Champagne arrests that decay. My discovery is of another kind of Champagne, which acts with a more lasting effect. It strengthens the nerves, hardens the muscles, quickens the blood, and brings activity to the digestion. With new strength of the body returns new strength to the mind; mind and body are one." He paused a moment. Then he gave the leather case into the hands of the Director. "This is my gift, I say. I give to my brother full particulars and the history of the invention. I seek no profit for myself. It is your own. This day a new epoch begins for humanity. We shall not die, but live. Accident, fire, lightning, may kill us. Against these things we cannot guard. But old age shall no more fall upon us; decay shall no more rob us of our life and strength; and death shall be voluntary. This is a great change. I know not if I have done aright. That is for you to determine. See that you use this gift aright."
Then, before the people had understood the last words, the speaker stepped out of the Theatre and was gone.
But the Director of the Royal Institution stood in his place, and in his hand was the leather case containing the GIFT OF LIFE.
The Countess of Thordisá, who had been asleep throughout the lecture, woke up when it was finished.