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"Froed enough to observe it in action, mind you--I believe the conversion to be the result of a blood-borne pathogen The saested resulted in the recent cholera outbreaks"

"You oppose the miasmatic hypothesis of disease transfer?"

The scientist inclined his head, delighted to converse with a woman so well educated in ests cholera transestion of contaest supernatural transmission occurs?"

"That remains a mystery As does the reason why some respond positively and others do not"

"A condition that we currently refer to as the presence or absence of excess soul?" suggested Alexia

"Exactly" The scientist’s eyes brightened with enthusiasen will only shohat occurs to drive metamorphosis It will not tell us why or how My research until now has focused on he the wrong hypothetical angle"

"You need to deduce what is different between those who die and those who survive?" Alexia tapped the brass handle of her parasol with her fingertips

"And what the survivor is like before and after all drew the horses up so he could turn fully to face Alexia, animated in his enthusiasan or part of an organ that sos--"

Miss Tarabotti was equally enthusiastic; she finished the hypothesis for him "Then it should be quantifiable!" Her dark eyes sparkled with the very idea of such a thing Brilliant in concept, but it would require ht his research appropriate dinner conversation the evening before "You are undertaking a nuall nodded, having forgotten her ladylike sensibilities in his excite it most difficult to acquire dead olves and vampires for comparison Particularly in the United States"

Miss Tarabotti shuddered No need to ask why Everyone knew the A supernatural, leaving little behind for any scientist to study "You think to procure specimens here and transport them back?"

The scientist nodded "I hope that it will be considered in the best interest of science to pursue this kind of inquiry"

"Well," Alexia said, "your speech at Hypocras should pave the way if it at all approaches the conversation we are having You have some of the newest and best ideas I have yet heard on the subject You would have my vote of confidence, were I allowed to be a rinned at her praise and began to think ever ence to not only follow his thoughts, but perceive their worth as well He tsked his horses intothem off to one side of the path "Did Itoday, Miss Tarabotti?" He pulled the carriage to a full stop

Of course Alexia could hardly point out the many flaws in his theories after such a complieneral topics Mr MacDougall cranked up the mechanical water boiler and brewed a pot of tea Alexia used the carriage’sdevice while he did so She tilted the lenses about, corace of distant dirigibles floating above the park She also trained the in the shade of a tree a little ay, only to find he had donned his glassicals and atching her through thenification device down and turned amiably back to her host and tea

While she sipped cautiously at the tina delicious Assaine she had noticed at the back of the carriage With , a ht and then unfolded to shade the open carriage Alexia snapped her own s at it with an entirely unwarranted sense of inadequacy It was a good little parasol and hardly deserving of such a jaundiced look

They passed a distinctly pleasant additional hour in each other’s co a box of rosewater and leall had invested in for this occasion especially In no tiantic parasol and driving Miss Tarabotti back hoe at the Loontwills’ front steps feeling justifiably pleased with the success of their outing, but Alexia forestalled him when he tried to see her all the way to the door

"Please do not mistake my refusal for rudeness," she explained delicately "But you do not wish to encounter my relations just now They are not up to your caliber of intellect, I am ashamed to say" She suspected her , but she needed soht make a declaration, and then where would she be?

The scientist nodded gravely "I completely understand, my dear Miss Tarabotti My own relatives are siain?"

Alexia did not smile It would not do to be coy when she had no intention of returning his advances "Youfor your speech"

"The next day?" He was persistent "That way I can tell you how the opening celebrations went"

Very forward, Ahed inwardly but nodded her acquiescence

Mr MacDougall assued his chestnut beauties into a sedate withdrawal