Since my first years, I have
devoted every hour and act of life to one ambitious task; and the
time of my success is at hand. In these new countries, where I was
so long content to stay, I collected indispensable ingredients; I
have fortified myself on every side from the possibility of error;
what was a dream now takes the substance of reality; and when I
offered you a son of mine I did so in a figure. That son--that
husband, Asenath, is myself--not as you now behold me, but restored
to the first energy of youth. You think me mad? It is the
customary attitude of ignorance. I will not argue; I will leave
facts to speak. When you behold me purified, invigorated, renewed,
restamped in the original image--when you recognise in me (what I
shall be) the first perfect expression of the powers of mankind--I
shall be able to laugh with a better grace at your passing and
natural incredulity. To what can you aspire--fame, riches, power,
the charm of youth, the dear-bought wisdom of age--that I shall not
be able to afford you in perfection? Do not deceive yourself.
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