Content that he succeeded in the role of peacemaker, Kovrin walked into the yard. Sitting on a bench and thinking, he heard the clatter of luggage and women’s laughter— these were the guests arriving. When the evening shade began to lie over the garden, the sounds of violin and singing voices were vaguely heard, and it recalled to him the black monk. Where, in which country or on what planet, does this optical absurdity fly now?
   He only just recalled the legend and imagined that shadowy apparition which he saw in the field of rye, as if from the pines just opposite, he was leaving noiselessly, without the smallest rustle, a person of average height with an uncovered gray head, all in darkness and barefoot, akin to a beggar, and on his pale, dead seeming face black eyebrows protruded sharply. Affably nodding his head, this beggar or pilgrim noiselessly approached the bench and sat down, and Kovrin recognized him as the black monk. For a minute they both looked at each other— Kovrin with amazement, but the monk tenderly and, just like back then, a bit slyly, keeping something to himself.
   — But you know you are a  mirage, — said Kovrin. — Why are you here and sitting in one place? This does not correspond with the legend.
   — Its okay, — answered the monk, after a pause, with a quiet voice turning his face towards him. — The legend, the mirage and I — all this is a product of your excited imagination. I— am a ghost.
   — That means you do not exist? — asked Kovrin.
   — Think whatever you like, — said the monk and smiled weakly. I exist in your imagination, but your imagination is a piece of nature, which means, I exist also in nature.
   —You have a very old, clever, and deeply expressive face, you must have lived already for over a thousand years— said Kovrin. — I did not know, that my imagination was able to create such phenomenon. But what are you watching me about with such rapture? Am I pleasing to you?
   Yes. You are one of those few who are justly called selected from God. You serve eternal truth. Your thoughts, intentions, your amazing learning and all your life carry upon themselves a divine, heavenly seal, because they are dedicated to reason and beauty, which is to say to that, which is eternal.
   — You said: eternal truth…. but is eternal truth really accessible to people and necessary to them, if there is no eternal life?
    — There is eternal life, — said the monk.
   — You believe in immortal human beings?
   —Yes, of course. For you humans awaits a great, shining future. And the more there are on earth of those, like you, the faster this future will come into being. Without you, servants of a higher order, living consciously and freely, humanity would be insignificant;  developing with a natural order, it would long await still the end of its earthly history. You some thousands of years earlier will lead it into the kingdom of eternal truth— and this is your highest service. You yourself personify God’s blessing, which had passed away in people.
    — And what is the object of eternal life? — asked Kovrin.
   — As with all life— enjoyment. Genuine enjoyment in knowledge, but eternal life presents innumerable and inexhaustible sources for contemplation, and in this sense it was said: in the house of my father there are many dwellings.   
   — If only you knew, how pleasant it is to listen to you! — said Kovrin, rubbing his hands together with satisfaction.
   — Very pleased.
   — But I know: when you go away, the question of your existence will be vexing to me. You are a ghost, a hallucination. That means I am mentally ill, abnormal?
   — Even if so. What is there to be embarrassed about? You are ill because you worked with all your strength and got exhausted, and this means you will sacrifice your health to an idea and soon you will also give life itself. What is better? This — that, to which generally all gifted, inspired, divine noble natures strive.
   —If I know that I am mentally ill, then can I have faith in myself?
   — But how is it you know, that brilliant people, in whom the whole world believes in, also have not seen ghosts? Now scientists are saying that genius is linked with mental instability. My friend, healthy and normal people are only common and mediocre. Thoughts of a neurotic age, over-exhaustion,  degeneration, etc. can only seriously worry those who see the goal of life in the present tense, that is to say, sheep-like people.
   — The Romans said: mens sana in corpore sano.
   —Not everything is true that was said by Romans or Greeks. A state of excitement, agitation, ecstasy, — all of the things, which distinguish prophets, poets, martyrs for a cause from ordinary people, is opposed to the animal side of humanity, that is his physical health. I will repeat: if you want to be healthy and normal, join the herd.
   — It is strange, you are repeating that which often comes to my own mind, — Kovrin said. — It is as if you watched and listened into my concealed thoughts. But let us not talk about me. What do you think about eternal truth?
   The monk did not answer. Kovrin eyed him and could not discern a face: its lines became foggy and dispersed. Then the monk’s head disappeared, arms; his torso blended with the cliffs and the evening twilight, and he completely disappeared.   
   — The hallucination is finished! — said Kovrin and laughed out loud. — But what a pity. He went back home cheerful and happy. The few words, which the monk had said to him, did not enrich his self-esteem, but the whole soul, his entire being. To be one of the elect, to serve eternal truth, to stand among the ranks of those who will make humanity a worthy kingdom of God some thousands of years early, that is to save humanity from thousands of excess years of war, sin, suffering, to give up everything to the idea— youth, exertion, health, to be prepared to die for the common good, — such a lofty, such a glorious destiny! In his memory rushed by his past clean, chaste, full labor, he remembered the things he studied and what he taught to others, and decided that in the monk’s words there was no exaggeration.
   Tanya was walking across the yard from the other side. She already had on another dress.
   — Are you here? — she said. — But we are searching for you, searching… but what is going on with you? — she was surprised, watching his enthusiasm, shining expression and eyes, full of tears. — You are so strange, Andrusha.
   — I am satisfied, Tanya, — said Kovrin, putting a hand on her shoulder. — I am more than satisfied, I am happy! Tanya, dear Tanya, you are an extraordinarily beautiful creature. Dear Tanya, I am so happy, so happy!          
   He opportunely kissed both her hands and continued:
   — I just passed bright, strange, otherworldly minutes. But I cannot relate everything to you, because you will call me crazy or you will not believe me. We will talk about you. Dear, pretty Tanya! I love you and am already used to it. Your nearness, our meetings ten times each day have become a requirement of my soul. I do not know how I will get along without you, when I go back home.
   — Well! — laughed Tanya. — You will forget about us after two days. We are little people, but you are a magnificent person.  
   — No, we will talk seriously! — he said. — I will take you with me, Tanya. Yes? Will you come with me? Do you want to be mine?
   — Really! — said Tanya and wanted to laugh again, but the laughter did not come out, and red stains stuck out on her face.
   She started to breathe frequently and very quickly went, yet not towards home, but further in the yard.
    — I was not thinking of this… I was not thinking! — she said, wringing her hands as if in despair.     
   But Kovrin walked behind here and talked with entirely the same shining, enraptured face:
   — I want love, which would take everything from me, and this love only you are able to give to me, Tanya. I am lucky! Lucky!
   She was shocked, bowed over, shuddered and grew older by exactly ten years, but he found her gorgeous and loudly expressed his excitement:
   — How lovely she is!