PROLOGUE

von Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu · 2026-03-31

Attached to the narrative that follows, Doctor Hesselius has penned a detailed note, referencing his essay on the intriguing subject illuminated by the manuscript.

In that essay, he approaches this mysterious topic with his characteristic insight and clarity, presenting his thoughts in a remarkably concise manner. It will be just one volume in the collection of works by this extraordinary man.

As I share this case in this volume, aiming to engage a broader audience, I won’t preempt the intelligent woman who recounts it. After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to summarize the learned Doctor’s arguments or extract from his observations on a subject he describes as “likely touching upon some of the deepest mysteries of our dual existence and its connections.”

Upon discovering this paper, I felt compelled to rekindle the correspondence initiated by Doctor Hesselius many years ago with someone as perceptive and meticulous as his informant appears to have been. Unfortunately, I learned with regret that she had passed away in the meantime.

She likely could have contributed little more to the narrative she shares in the following pages, which, as far as I can tell, she recounts with remarkable attention to detail.