Thus lived and died Ulick Invern in the companionship of his most
intimate mentors throughout the tragi-comedy of his existence. Two
books had imaged his reverse aspirations: Petronius, his thirst for an
Absolute in evil; Thomas à Kempis, his God-intoxicated craving for the
Infinite. Euthanasia came to him wearing an ambiguous smile. Yet, who
shall dare say that he had lived in vain? On the vast uncharted lamp of
mysticism extremes may meet, even mingle.... _Credo quia impossibile
est_....