InrecognizedscienceIsawonlydespair。

Andatthatthoughtalldreadofthismysteriousvisitorvanished——

allanxietytoquestionmoreofhisattributesorhishistory。Hislifeitselfbecametomedearandprecious。Whatifitshouldfailmeinthestepsoftheprocess，whateverthatwas，bywhichthelifeofmyLilianmightbesaved！

Theshadesofeveningwerenowclosingin。IrememberedthatIhadleftMargravewithoutevenfoodformanyhours。Istoleroundtothebackofthehouse，filledabasketwithelementsmoregenerousthanthoseoftheformerday。extractedfreshdrugsfrommystores，and，thusladen，hurriedbacktothehut。IfoundMargraveintheroombelow，seatedonhismysteriouscoffer，leaninghisfaceonhishand。WhenIentered，helookedup，andsaid：

Youhaveneglectedme。Mystrengthiswaning。Givememoreofthecordial，forwehaveworkbeforeustonight，andIneedsupport。

Hetookforgrantedmyassenttohiswildexperiment。andhewasright。

Iadministeredthecordial。Iplacedfoodbeforehim，andthistimehedidnoteatwithrepugnance。Ipouredoutwine，andhedrankitsparingly，butwithreadycompliance，saying，Inperfecthealth，Ilookeduponwineaspoison。nowitislikeaforetasteofthegloriouselixir。

Afterhehadthusrecruitedhimself，heseemedtoacquireanenergythatstartlinglycontrastedwithhislanguorthedaybefore。theeffortofbreathingwasscarcelyperceptible。thecolorcamebacktohischeeks。hisbendedframeroseelasticanderect。

IfIunderstoodyourightly，saidI，theexperimentyouaskmetoaidcanbeaccomplishedinasinglenight？

Inasinglenight——thisnight。

Commandme。Whynotbeginatonce？Whatapparatusorchemicalagenciesdoyouneed？

Ah！saidMargrave。Formerly，howIwasmisled！Formerly，howmyconjecturesblundered！Ithought，whenIaskedyoutogiveamonthtotheexperimentIwishtomake，thatIshouldneedthesubtlestskillofthechemist。Ithenbelieved，withVanHelmont，thattheprincipleoflifeisagas，andthatthesecretwasbutinthemodebywhichthegasmightberightlyadministered。Butnow，allthatIneediscontainedinthiscoffer，saveoneverysimplematerial——fuelsufficientforasteadyfireforsixhours。Iseeeventhatisathand，piledupinyourouthouse。Andnowforthesubstanceitself——tothatyoumustguideme。

Explain。

Nearthisveryspotistherenotgold——inminesyetundiscovered——

andgoldofthepurestmetal？

Thereis。Whatthen？Doyou，withthealchemists，blendinonediscovery，goldandlife？

No。Butitisonlywherethechemistryofearthorofmanproducesgold，thatthesubstancefromwhichthegreatpabulumoflifeisextractedbyfermentcanbefound。Possibly，intheattemptsatthattransmutationofmetals，whichIthinkyourowngreatchemist，SirHumphryDavy，allowedmightbepossible，butheldnottobeworththecostoftheprocess——possibly，inthoseattempts，somescantygrainsofthissubstancewerefoundbythealchemists，inthecrucible，withgrainsofthemetalasniggardlyyieldedbypitifulmimicryofNature’sstupendouslaboratory。andfromsuchgrainsenoughoftheessencemight，perhaps，havebeendrawnforth，toaddafewyearsofexistencetosomefeeblegraybeard——granting，whatrestsonnoproofs，thatsomeofthealchemistsreachedanagerarelygiventoman。Butitisnotinthemiserlycrucible，itisinthematrixofNatureherself，thatwemustseekinprolificabundanceNature’sgrandprinciple——life。

Astheloadstoneisrifewiththemagneticvirtue，asambercontainstheelectric，sointhissubstance，towhichweyetwantaname，isfoundthebrightlife-givingfluid。IntheoldgoldminesofAsiaandEuropethesubstanceexists，butcanrarelybemetwith。Thesoilforitsnutrimentmaytherebewellnighexhausted。

Itishere，whereNatureherselfisallvitalwithyouth，thatthenutrimentofyouthmustbesought。Nearthisspotisgold。guidemetoit。

Youcannotcomewithme。TheplacewhichIknowasauriferousissomemilesdistant，thewayrugged。Youcannotwalktoit。ItistrueIhavehorses，but——

DoyouthinkIhavecomethisdistanceandnotforeseenandforestalledallthatIwantformyobject？TroubleyourselfnotwithconjectureshowIcanarriveattheplace。Ihaveprovidedthemeanstoarriveatandleaveit。Mylitteranditsbearersareinreachofmycall。Givemeyourarmtotherisingground，fiftyyardsfromyourdoor。

Iobeyedmechanically，stiflingallsurprise。Ihadmademyresolve，andadmittednothoughtthatcouldshakeit。

Whenwereachedthesummitofthegrassyhillock，whichslopedfromtheroadthatledtotheseaport，Margrave，afterpausingtorecoverbreath，lifteduphisvoice，inakey，notloud，butshrillandslowandprolonged，halfcryandhalfchant，likethenighthawk’s。Throughtheair——solimpidandstill，bringingnearfarobjects，farsounds——thevoicepierceditsway，artfullypausing，tillwaveafterwaveoftheatmosphereboreandtransmittediton。

Inafewminutesthecallseemedre-echoed，soexactly，socheerily，thatforthemomentIthoughtthatthenotewasthemimicryoftheshymockinglyrebird，whichmimicssomerrilyallthatithearsinitscoverts，fromthewhirofthelocusttothehowlofthewilddog。

Whatking，saidthemysticalcharmer，andashespokehecarelesslyrestedhishandonmyshoulder，sothatItrembledtofeelthatthisdreadsonofNature，Godlessandsoulless，whohadbeen——and，myheartwhispered，whostillcouldbe——mybaneandminddarkener，leaneduponmeforsupport，asthespoiledyounger-bornonhisbrother——whatking，saidthiscynicalmocker，withhisbeautifulboyishface——whatkinginyourcivilizedEuropehastheswayofachiefoftheEast？Whatlinkissostrongbetweenmortalandmortalasthatbetweenlordandslave？Itransportyoupoorfoolsfromthelandoftheirbirth。theypreserveheretheiroldhabits——obedienceandawe。Theywouldwaittilltheystarvedinthesolitude——waittohearkenandanswermycall。AndI，whothusrulethem，orcharmthem——Iuseanddespisethem。Theyknowthat，andyetserveme！Betweenyouandme，myphilosopher，thereisbutonethingworthlivingfor——lifeforoneself。

Isitage，isityouth，thatthusshocksallmysense，inmysolemncompletenessofman？Perhaps，ingreatcapitals，youngmenofpleasurewillanswer，Itisyouth。andwethinkwhathesays！

Youngfriends，Idonotbelieveyou。

II

AlongthegrasstrackIsawnow，underthemoon，justrisen，astrangeprocession——neverseenbeforeinAustralianpastures。Itmovedon，noiselesslybutquickly。Wedescendedthehillock，andmetitontheway。asablelitter，bornebyfourmen，inunfamiliarEasterngarments。twootherservitors，morebravelydressed，withyataghansandsilver-hiltedpistolsintheirbelts，precededthissomberequipage。PerhapsMargravedivinedthedisdainfulthoughtthatpassedthroughmymind，vaguelyandhalf-unconsciously。forhesaidwithahollow，bitterlaughthathadreplacedthelivelypealofhisoncemelodiousmirth：

Alittleleisureandalittlegold，andyourrawcolonist，too，willhavethetastesofapasha。

Imadenoanswer。Ihadceasedtocarewhoandwhatwasmytempter。Tomehiswholebeingwasresolvedintooneproblem：hadheasecretbywhichdeathcouldbeturnedfromLilian？

Butnow，asthelitterhalted，fromthelong，darkshadowwhichitcastupontheturf，thefigureofawomanemergedandstoodbeforeus。Theoutlinesofhershapewerelostintheloosefoldsofablackmantle，andthefeaturesofherfacewerehiddenbyablackveil，exceptonlythedark-bright，solemneyes。Herstaturewaslofty，herbearingmajestic，whetherinmovementorrepose。

Margraveaccostedherinsomelanguageunknowntome。Sherepliedinwhatseemedtomethesametongue。Thetonesofhervoiceweresweet，butinexpressiblymournful。Thewordsthattheyutteredappearedintendedtowarn，ordeprecate，ordissuade。buttheycalledtoMargrave’sbrowaloweringfrown，anddrewfromhislipsaburstofunmistakableanger。Thewomanrejoined，inthesamemelancholymusicofvoice。AndMargravethen，leaninghisarmuponhershoulder，ashehadleaneditonmine，drewherawayfromthegroupintoaneighboringcopseofthefloweringeucalypti——mystictrees，neverchangingthehuesoftheirpale-greenleaves，evershiftingthetintsoftheirash-gray，sheddingbark。ForsomemomentsIgazedonthetwohumanforms，dimlyseenbytheglintingmoonlightthroughthegapsinthefoliage。Thenturningawaymyeyes，Isaw，standingcloseatmyside，amanwhomIhadnotnoticedbefore。Hisfootstep，asitstoletome，hadfallenontheswardwithoutsound。Hisdress，thoughOriental，differedfromthatofhiscompanions，bothinshapeandcolor——fittingclosetothebreast，leavingthearmsbaretotheelbow，andofauniformghastlywhite，asarethecerementsofthegrave。HisvisagewasevendarkerthanthoseoftheSyriansorArabsbehindhim，andhisfeatureswerethoseofabirdofprey：thebeakoftheeagle，buttheeyeofthevulture。Hischeekswerehollow。thearms，crossedonhisbreast，werelongandfleshless。Yetinthatskeletonformtherewasasomethingwhichconveyedtheideaofaserpent’ssupplenessandstrength。andasthehungry，watchfuleyesmetmyownstartledgaze，Irecoiledimpulsivelywiththatinwardwarningofdangerwhichisconveyedtoman，astoinferioranimals，intheveryaspectofthecreaturesthatstingordevour。AtmymovementthemaninclinedhisheadinthesubmissiveEasternsalutation，andspokeinhisforeigntongue，softly，humbly，fawningly，tojudgebyhistoneandhisgesture。

Imovedyetfartherawayfromhimwithloathing，andnowthehumanthoughtflasheduponme：wasI，intruth，exposedtonodangerintrustingmyselftothemercyoftheweirdandremorselessmasterofthosehirelingsfromtheEast——sevenmeninnumber，twoatleastofthemformidablyarmed，anddocileasbloodhoundstothehunter，whohasonlytoshowthemtheirprey？Butfearofmanlikemyselfisnotmyweakness。wherefearfounditswaytomyheart，itwasthroughthedoubtsorthefanciesinwhichmanlikemyselfdisappearedintheattributes，darkandunknown，whichwegivetoafiendoraspecter。And，perhaps，ifIcouldhavepausedtoanalyzemyownsensations，theverypresenceofthisescort——

creaturesoffleshandblood——lessenedthedreadofmyincomprehensibletempter。Rather，ahundredtimes，frontanddefythosesevenEasternslaves——I，haughtysonoftheAnglo-Saxonwhoconquersallracesbecausehefearsnoodds——thanhaveseenagainonthewallsofmythresholdtheluminous，bodilessshadow！

Besides：Lilian——Lilian！foronechanceofsavingherlife，howeverwildandchimericalthatchancemightbe，Iwouldhaveshrunknotafootfromthemarchofanarmy。

Thusreassuredandthusresolved，Iadvanced，withasmileofdisdain，tomeetMargraveandhisveiledcompanion，astheynowcamefromthemoonlitcopse。

Well，Isaidtohim，withanironythatunconsciouslymimickedhisown，haveyoutakenadvicewithyournurse？IassumethatthedarkformbyyoursideisthatofAyesha！*

*Margrave’sformernurseandattendant。

Thewomanlookedatmefromhersableveil，withhersteadfast，solemneyes，andsaid，inEnglish，thoughwithaforeignaccent：

ThenurseborninAsiaisbutwisethroughherlove。thepalesonofEuropeiswisethroughhisart。Thenursesays，’Forbear！’Doyousay，’Adventure’？

Peace！exclaimedMargrave，stampinghisfootontheground。I

takenocounselfromeither。itisformetoresolve，foryoutoobey，andforhimtoaid。Nightiscome，andwewasteit。moveon。

Thewomanmadenoreply，nordidI。Hetookmyarmandwalkedbacktothehut。Thebarbaricescortfollowed。Whenwereachedthedoorofthebuilding，Margravesaidafewwordstothewomanandtothelitterbearers。Theyenteredthehutwithus。Margravepointedouttothewomanhiscoffer，tothementhefuelstowedintheouthouse。Bothwereborneawayandplacedwithinthelitter。

MeanwhileItookfromthetable，onwhichitwascarelesslythrown，thelighthatchetthatIhabituallycarriedwithmeinmyrambles。

Doyouthinkthatyouneedthatidleweapon？saidMargrave。Doyoufearthegoodfaithofmyswarthyattendants？

Nay，takethehatchetyourself。itsuseistoseverthegoldfromthequartzinwhichwemayfinditimbedded，ortoclear，asthisshovel，whichwillalsobeneeded，fromtheslightsoilaboveit，theorethatthemineinthemountainflingsforth，astheseacastsitswaifsonthesands。

Givemeyourhand，fellowlaborer！saidMargrave，joyfully。Ah，thereisnofalteringterrorinthispulse！Iwasnotmistakenintheman。Whatrests，buttheplaceandthehour？——Ishalllive，I

shalllive！

III

Margravenowenteredthelitter，andtheVeiledWomandrewtheblackcurtainsroundhim。Iwalkedon，astheguide，someyardsinadvance。Theairwasstill，heavy，andparchedwiththebreathoftheAustralasiansirocco。

Wepassedthroughthemeadowlands，studdedwithslumberingflocks。

wefollowedthebranchofthecreek，whichwaslinkedtoitssourceinthemountainsbymanyatricklingwaterfall。wethreadedthegloomofstunted，misshapentrees，gnarledwiththestringybarkwhichmakesoneofthesignsofthestratathatnourishgold。andatlengththemoon，nowinallherpompoflight，mid-heavenamonghersubjectstars，gleamedthroughthefissuresofthecave，onwhosefloorlaytherelicsofantediluvianraces，andrestedinonefloodofsilverysplendoruponthehollowsoftheextinctvolcano，withtuftsofdankherbage，andwidespacesofpalersward，coveringthegoldbelow——gold，thedumbsymboloforganizedMatter’sgreatmystery，storinginitself，accordingasMind，theinformerofMatter，candistinguishitsuses，evilandgood，baneandblessing。

HithertotheVeiledWomanhadremainedintherear，withthewhite-

robed，skeletonlikeimagethathadcrepttomysideunawareswithitsnoiselessstep。Thus，ineachwindingturnofthedifficultpathatwhichtheconvoyfollowingbehindmecameintosight，Ihadseen，first，thetwogaylydressed，armedmen，nexttheblack，bierlikelitter，andlasttheBlack-veiledWomanandtheWhite-

robedSkeleton。

Butnow，asIhaltedonthetableland，backedbythemountainandfrontingthevalley，thewomanlefthercompanion，passedbythelitterandthearmedmen，andpausedbymyside，atthemouthofthemoonlitcavern。

Thereforamomentshestood，silent，theprocessionbelowmountingupwardlaboriouslyandslow。thensheturnedtome，andherveilwaswithdrawn。

ThefaceonwhichIgazedwaswondrouslybeautiful，andseverelyawful。Therewasneitheryouthnorage，butbeauty，matureandmajesticasthatofamarbleDemeter。

Doyoubelieveinthatwhichyouseek？sheaskedinherforeign，melodious，melancholyaccents。

Ihavenobelief，wasmyanswer。Truesciencehasnone。Truesciencequestionsallthings，takesnothinguponcredit。Itknowsbutthreestatesofthemind——denial，conviction，andthatvastintervalbetweenthetwowhichisnotbeliefbutsuspenseofjudgment。

Thewomanletfallherveil，movedfromme，andseatedherselfonacragabovethatcleftbetweenmountainandcreek，towhich，whenI

hadfirstdiscoveredthegoldthatthelandnourished，therainfromthecloudshadgiventherushinglifeofthecataract。butwhichnow，inthedroughtandthehushoftheskies，wasbutadeadpileofstones。

Thelitternowascendedtheheight：itsbearershalted。aleanhandtorethecurtainsaside，andMargravedescendedleaning，thistime，notontheBlack-veiledWoman，butontheWhite-robedSkeleton。

There，ashestood，themoonshonefullonhiswastedform。onhisface，resolute，cheerful，andproud，despiteitshollowedoutlinesandsickliedhues。Heraisedhishead，spokeinthelanguageunknowntome，andthearmedmenandthelitterbearersgroupedroundhim，bendinglow，theireyesfixedontheground。TheVeiledWomanroseslowlyandcametohisside，motioningaway，withamutesign，theghastlyformonwhichheleaned，andpassingroundhimsilently，instead，herownsustainingarm。Margravespokeagainafewsentences，ofwhichIcouldnotevenguessthemeaning。Whenhehadconcluded，thearmedmenandthelitterbearerscamenearertohisfeet，kneltdown，andkissedhishand。Theythenrose，andtookfromthebierlikevehiclethecofferandthefuel。Thisdone，theyliftedagainthelitter，andagain，precededbythearmedmen，theprocessiondescendeddowntheslopinghillside，downintothevalleybelow。

Margravenowwhispered，forsomemoments，intotheearofthehideouscreaturewhohadmadewayfortheVeiledWoman。Thegrimskeletonbowedhisheadsubmissively，andstrodenoiselesslyawaythroughthelonggrasses——theslenderstems，trampledunderhisstealthyfeet，reliftingthemselvesasafterapassingwind。Andthushe，too，sankoutofsightdownintothevalleybelow。Onthetablelandofthehillremainedonlywethree——Margrave，myself，andtheVeiledWoman。

Shehadreseatedherselfapart，onthegraycragabovethedriedtorrent。Hestoodattheentranceofthecavern，roundthesidesofwhichclusteredparasitalplants，withflowersofallcolors，someamongthemopeningtheirpetalsandexhalingtheirfragranceonlyinthehoursofnight。sothat，ashisformfilledupthejawsofthedullarch，obscuringthemoonbeamthatstrovetopiercetheshadowsthatsleptwithin，itstoodnow——wanandblighted——asIhadseenitfirst，radiantandjoyous，literallyframedinblooms。

IV

So，saidMargrave，turningtome，underthesoilthatspreadsaroundusliesthegoldwhichtoyouandtomeisatthismomentofnovalue，exceptasaguidetoitstwin-born——theregeneratoroflife！

Youhavenotyetdescribedtomethenatureofthesubstancewhichwearetoexplore，northeprocessbywhichthevirtuesyouimputetoitaretobeextracted。

Letusfirstfindthegold，andinsteadofdescribingthelife-

amber，soletmecallit，Iwillpointitouttoyourowneyes。Astotheprocess，yourshareinitissosimplethatyouwillaskmewhyIseekaidfromachemist。Thelife-amber，whenfound，hasbuttobesubjectedtoheatandfermentationforsixhours。itwillbeplacedinasmallcaldronwhichthatcoffercontains，overthefirewhichthatfuelwillfeed。Togiveeffecttotheprocess，certainalkaliesandotheringredientsarerequired。buttheseareprepared，andmineisthetasktocomminglethem。FromyourscienceaschemistIneedandasknaught。InyouIhavesoughtonlytheaidofaman。

Ifthatbeso，why，indeed，seekmeatall？Whynotconfideinthoseswarthyattendants，whodoubtlessareslavestoyourorders？

Confideinslaves，whenthefirsttaskenjoinedtothemwouldbetodiscover，andrefrainfrompurloininggold！Sevensuchunscrupulousknaves，orevenonesuch，andI，thusdefenselessandfeeble！Suchisnottheworkthatwisemastersconfidetofierceslaves。Butthatistheleastofthereasonswhichexcludethemfrommychoice，andfixmychoiceofassistantonyou。DoyouforgetwhatItoldyouofthedangerwhichtheDervishdeclarednobribeIcouldoffercouldtempthimasecondtimetobrave？

Iremembernow。thosewordshadpassedawayfrommymind。

Andbecausetheyhadpassedawayfromyourmind，Ichoseyouformycomrade。Ineedamanbywhomdangerisscorned。

ButintheprocessofwhichyoutellmeIseenopossibledangerunlesstheingredientsyoumixinyourcaldronhavepoisonousfumes。

Itisnotthat。TheingredientsIusearenotpoisons。

Whatotherdanger，exceptyoudreadyourownEasternslaves？But，ifso，whyleadthemtothesesolitudes。and，ifso，whynotbidmebearmed？

TheEasternslaves，fulfillingmycommands，waitformysummons，wheretheireyescannotseewhatwedo。ThedangerisofakindinwhichtheboldestsonoftheEastwouldbemorecraven，perhaps，thatthedaintiestSybariteofEurope，whowouldshrinkfromapantherandlaughataghost。InthecreedoftheDervish，andofallwhoadventureintothatrealmofNaturewhichisclosedtophilosophyandopentomagic，thereareracesinthemagnitudeofspaceunseenasanimalculesintheworldofadrop。Forthetribesofthedropsciencehasitsmicroscope。OfthehostofyonazureInfinitemagicgainssight，andthroughthemgainscommandoverfluidconductorsthatlinkallthepartsofcreation。Oftheseraces，somearewhollyindifferenttoman，somebenigntohim，andsomedeadlyhostile。Inalltheregularandprescribedconditionsofmortalbeing，thismagicrealmseemsasblankandtenantlessasyonvacantair。Butwhenaseekerofpowersbeyondtherudefunctionsbywhichmanpliestheclockworkthatmeasureshishours，andstopswhenitschainreachestheendofitscoil，strivestopassoverthoseboundariesatwhichphilosophysays，’Knowledgeends’——then，heislikeallothertravelersinregionsunknown。hemustpropitiateorbravethetribesthatarehostile——mustdependforhislifeonthetribesthatarefriendly。Thoughyoursciencediscreditsthealchemist’sdogmas，yourlearninginformsyouthatallalchemistswerenotignorantimpostors。yetthosewhosediscoveriesprovethemtohavebeenthenearestalliestoyourpracticalknowledge，everhintintheirmysticalworksattherealityofthatrealmwhichisopentomagic——everhintthatsomemeanslessfamiliarthanfurnaceandbellowsareessentialtohimwhoexplorestheelixiroflife。Hewhooncequaffsthatelixir，obtainsinhisveryveinsthebrightfluidbywhichhetransmitstheforceofhiswilltoagenciesdormantinNature，togiantsunseeninthespace。Andhere，ashepassestheboundarywhichdivideshisallottedandnormalmortalityfromtheregionsandracesthatmagicalonecanexplore，so，here，hebreaksdownthesafeguardbetweenhimselfandthetribesthatarehostile。Isitnoteverthusbetweenmanandman？Letaracethemostgentleandtimidandcivilizeddwellononesideariverormountain，andanotherhavehomeintheregionbeyond，each，ifitpassnottheinterveningbarrier，maywitheachliveinpeace。Butifambitiousadventurersscalethemountain，orcrosstheriver，withdesigntosubdueandenslavethepopulationtheyboldlyinvade，thenalltheinvadedariseinwrathanddefiance——theneighborsarechangedintofoes。Andthereforethisprocess——bywhichasimplethoughrarematerialofNatureismadetoyieldtoamortaltheboonofalifewhichbrings，withitsgloriousresistancetoTime，desiresandfacultiestosubjecttoitsservicebeingsthatdwellintheearthandtheairandthedeep——haseverbeenoneofthesameperilwhichaninvadermustbravewhenhecrossestheboundsofhisnation。Bythiskeyaloneyouunlockallthecellsofthealchemist’slore。bythisaloneunderstandhowalabor，whichachemist’scrudestapprenticecouldperform，hasbaffledthegiantfathersofallyourdwarfedchildrenofscience。Nature，thatstoresthispricelessboon，seemstoshrinkfromconcedingittoman——theinvisibletribesthatabhorhimopposethemselvestothegainthatmightgivethemamaster。Thedullerofthosewhowerethelife-seekersofoldwouldhavetoldyouhowsomechance，trivial，unlooked-for，foiledtheirgrandhopeattheverypointoffruition。somedoltishmistake，someimprovidentoversight，adefectinthesulphur，awildoverflowinthequicksilver，oraflawinthebellows，orapupilwhofailedtoreplenishthefuel，byfallingasleepbythefurnace。Theinvisiblefoesseldomvouchsafetomakethemselvesvisiblewheretheycanfrustratethebunglerastheymockathistoilsfromtheirambush。Butthemightieradventurers，equallyfoiledindespiteoftheirpatienceandskill，wouldhavesaid，’Notwithusreststhefault。weneglectednocaution，wefailedfromnooversight。Butoutfromthecaldrondreadfacesarose，andthespectersordemonsdismayedandbaffledus。’Such，then，isthedangerwhichseemssoappallingtoasonoftheEast，asitseemedtoaseerinthedarkageofEurope。Butwecanderideallitsthreats，youandI。Formyself，IownfranklyItakeallthesafetythatthecharmsandresourcesofmagicbestow。You，foryoursafety，havetheculturedanddisciplinedreasonwhichreducesallfantasiestonervousimpressions。andIrelyonthecourageofonewhohasquestioned，unquailing，theLuminousShadow，andwrestedfromthehandofthemagicianhimselfthewandwhichconcenteredthewondersofwill！

TothisstrangeandlongdiscourseIlistenedwithoutinterruption，andnowquietlyanswered：

Idonotmeritthetrustyouaffectinmycourage。butIamnowonmyguardagainstthecheatsofthefancy，andthefumesofavaporcanscarcelybewilderthebrainintheopenairofthismountainland。Ibelieveinnoraceslikethosewhichyoutellmelieviewlessinspace，asdogases。Ibelievenotinmagic。Iasknotitsaids，andIdreadnotitsterrors。Fortherest，Iamconfidentofonemournfulcourage——thecouragethatcomesfromdespair。Isubmittoyourguidance，whateveritbe，asasuffererwhomcollegesdoomtothegravesubmitstothequackwhosays，’Takemyspecificandlive！’Mylifeisnaughtinitself。mylifelivesinanother。YouandIarebothbravefromdespair。youwouldturndeathfromyourself——IwouldturndeathfromoneIlovemorethanmyself。Bothknowhowlittleaidwecanwinfromthecolleges，andboth，therefore，turntothepromisesmostaudaciouslycheering。Dervishormagician，alchemistorphantom，whatcareyouandI？Andiftheyfailus，whatthen？Theycannotfailusmorethanthecollegesdo！

V

Thegoldhasbeengainedwithaneasylabor。Iknewwheretoseekforit，whetherundertheturforinthebedofthecreek。ButMargrave’seyes，hungrilygazingroundeveryspotfromwhichtheorewasdisburied，couldnotdetectthesubstanceofwhichhealoneknewtheoutwardappearance。Ihadbeguntobelievethat，eveninthedescriptiongiventohimofthismaterial，hehadbeencredulouslyduped，andthatnosuchmaterialexisted，when，comingbackfromthebedofthewatercourse，Isawafaint，yellowgleamamidsttherootsofagiantparasiteplant，theleavesandblossomsofwhichclimbedupthesidesofthecavewithitsantediluvianrelics。Thegleamwasthegleamofgold，andonremovingthelooseearthroundtherootsoftheplant，wecameon——No，Iwillnot，I

darenot，describeit。Thegolddiggerwouldcastitaside。thenaturalistwouldpausenottoheedit。anddidIdescribeit，andchemistrydeigntosubjectittoanalysis，couldchemistryalonedetachordiscoveritsboastedvirtues？

Itsparticles，indeed，areveryminute，notseemingreadilytocrystallizewitheachother。eachinitselfofuniformshapeandsize，sphericalastheeggwhichcontainsthegermoflife，andsmallastheeggfromwhichthelifeofaninsectmayquicken。

ButMargrave’skeeneyecaughtsightoftheatomsupcastbythelightofthemoon。Heexclaimedtome，Found！Ishalllive！

Andthen，ashegatheredupthegrainswithtremuloushands，hecalledouttotheVeiledWoman，hithertostillseatedmotionlessonthecrag。Athiswordsheroseandwenttotheplacehardby，wherethefuelwaspiled，busyingherselfthere。Ihadnoleisuretoheedher。Icontinuedmysearchinthesoftandyieldingsoilthattimeandthedecayofvegetablelifehadaccumulatedoverthepre-Adamitestrataonwhichthearchofthecaveresteditsmightykeystone。

Whenwehadcollectedoftheseparticlesaboutthriceasmuchasamanmightholdinhishand，weseemedtohaveexhaustedtheirbed。

Wecontinuedstilltofindgold，butnomoreofthedelicatesubstancetowhich，inoursight，goldwasasdross。

Enough，thensaidMargrave，reluctantlydesisting。WhatwehavegainedalreadywillsufficeforalifethriceaslongaslegendattributestoHaroun。Ishalllive——Ishalllivethroughthecenturies。

ForgetnotthatIclaimmyshare。

Yourshare——yours！True——yourhalfofmylife！Itistrue。Hepausedwithalow，ironical，malignantlaugh，andthenadded，asheroseandturnedaway，Buttheworkisyettobedone。

VI

Whilewehadthuslaboredandfound，Ayeshahadplacedthefuelwherethemoonlightfellfullestontheswardofthetableland——apartofitalreadypiledasforafire，therestofitheapedconfusedlycloseathand。andbythepileshehadplacedthecoffer。And，thereshestood，herarmsfoldedunderhermantle，herdarkimageseemingdarkerstillasthemoonlightwhitenedallthegroundfromwhichtheimagerosemotionless。Margraveopenedhiscoffer，theVeiledWomandidnotaidhim，andIwatchedinsilence，whileheassilentlymadehisweirdandwizard-likepreparations。

VII

Onthegroundawidecirclewastracedbyasmallrod，tippedapparentlywithspongesaturatedwithsomecombustiblenaphtha-likefluid，sothatapale，lambentflamefollowedthecourseoftherodasMargraveguidedit，burninguptheherbageoverwhichitplayed，andleavingadistinctring，likethatwhich，inourlovelynativefabletalk，wecalltheFairy’sring，butyetmorevisiblebecausemarkedinphosphorescentlight。Ontheringthusformedwereplacedtwelvesmalllamps，fedwiththefluidfromthesamevessel，andlightedbythesamerod。Thelightemittedbythelampswasmorevividandbrilliantthanthatwhichcircledroundthering。

Withinthecircumference，andimmediatelyroundthewoodpile，Margravetracedcertaingeometricalfigures，inwhich——notwithoutashudder，thatIovercameatoncebyastrongeffortofwillinmurmuringtomyselfthenameofLilian——Irecognizedtheinterlacedtriangleswhichmyownhand，inthespellenforcedonasleepwalker，haddescribedonthefloorofthewizard’spavilion。

Thefiguresweretracedlikethecircle，inflame，andatthepointofeachtriangle(fourinnumber)wasplacedalamp，brilliantasthoseonthering。Thistaskperformed，thecaldron，basedonanirontripod，wasplacedonthewoodpile。Andthenthewoman，beforeinactiveandunheeding，slowlyadvanced，kneltbythepileandlightedit。Thedrywoodcrackledandtheflameburstforth，lickingtherimsofthecaldronwithtonguesoffire。

Margraveflungintothecaldrontheparticleswehadcollected，pouredoverthemfirstaliquid，colorlessaswater，fromthelargestofthevesselsdrawnfromhiscoffer，andthen，moresparingly，dropsfromsmallcrystalphials，likethephialsIhadseeninthehandofPhilipDerval。

Havingsurmountedmyfirstimpulseofawe，Iwatchedtheseproceedings，curiousyetdisdainful，asonewhowatchesthemummeriesofanenchanteronthestage。

If，thoughtI，thesearebutartfuldevicestoinebriateandfoolmyownimagination，myimaginationisonitsguard，andreasonshallnot，thistime，sleepatherpost！

Andnow，saidMargrave，Iconsigntoyoutheeasytaskbywhichyouaretomerityourshareoftheelixir。Itismytasktofeedandreplenishthecaldron。itisAyesha’stofeedthefire，whichmustnotforamomentrelaxinitsmeasuredandsteadyheat。Yourtaskisthelightestofall：itisbuttorenewfromthisvesselthefluidthatburnsinthelamps，andonthering。Observe，thecontentsofthevesselmustbethriftilyhusbanded。thereisenough，butnotmorethanenough，tosustainthelightinthelamps，onthelinestracedroundthecaldron，andonthefartherring，forsixhours。Thecompoundsdissolvedinthisfluidarescarce——onlyobtainableintheEast，andevenintheEastmonthsmighthavepassedbeforeIcouldhaveincreasedmysupply。Ihadnomonthstowaste。Replenish，then，thelightonlywhenitbeginstoflickerorfade。Takeheed，aboveall，thatnopartoftheouterring——no，notaninch——andnolampofthetwelve，thataretoitszodiaclikestars，fadeforonemomentindarkness。

Itookthecrystalvesselfromhishand。

Thevesselissmall，saidI，andwhatisyetleftofitscontentsisbutscanty。whetheritsdropssufficetoreplenishthelightsIcannotguess——Icanbutobeyyourinstructions。But，moreimportantbyfarthanthelighttothelampsandthecircle，whichinAsiaorAfricamightscareawaythewildbeastsunknowntothisland——moreimportantthanlighttoalampisthestrengthtoyourframe，weakmagician！Whatwillsupportyouthroughsixwearyhoursofnightwatch？

Hope，answeredMargrave，witharayofhisolddazzlingstyle。

Hope！Ishalllive——Ishalllivethroughthecenturies！

VIII

Onehourpassedaway。thefagotsunderthecaldronburnedclearinthesullen，sultryair。Thematerialswithinbegantoseethe，andtheircolor，atfirstdullandturbid，changedintoapale-rosehue。fromtimetotimetheVeiledWomanreplenishedthefire，aftershehaddonesoreseatingherselfclosebythepyre，withherheadbowedoverherknees，andherfacehidunderherveil。

Thelightsinthelampsandalongtheringandthetrianglesnowbegantopale。Iresuppliedtheirnutrimentfromthecrystalvessel。Asyetnothingstrangestartledmyeyeormyearbeyondtherimofthecircle——nothingaudible，save，atadistance，themusicalwheel-likeclickofthelocusts，and，fartherstill，intheforest，thehowlofthewilddogsthatneverbark。nothingvisible，butthetreesandthemountainrangegirdingtheplainssilveredbythemoon，andthearchofthecavern，theflushofwildbloomsonitssides，andthegleamofdrybonesonitsfloor，wherethemoonlightshotintothegloom。

Thesecondhourpassedlikethefirst。IhadtakenmystandbythesideofMargrave，watchingwithhimtheprocessatworkinthecaldron，whenIfeltthegroundslightlyvibratebeneathmyfeet，andlookingup，itseemedasifalltheplainsbeyondthecirclewereheavingliketheswellofthesea，andasifintheairitselftherewasaperceptibletremor。

IplacedmyhandonMargrave’sshoulderandwhispered，Tomeearthandairseemtovibrate。Dotheyseemtovibratetoyou？

Iknownot，Icarenot，heansweredimpetuously。Theessenceisburstingtheshellthatconfinedit。Herearemyairandmyearth！

Troublemenot。Looktothecircle——feedthelampsiftheyfail！

IpassedbytheVeiledWomanasIwalkedtowardaplaceintheringinwhichtheflamewaswaningdim。andIwhisperedtoherthesamequestionwhichIhadwhisperedtoMargrave。Shelookedslowlyaroundandanswered，SoisitbeforetheInvisiblemakethemselvesvisible！DidInotbidhimforbear？Herheadagaindroopedonherbreast，andherwatchwasagainfixedonthefire。

Iadvancedtothecircleandstoopedtoreplenishthelightwhereitwaned。AsIdidso，onmyarm，whichstretchedsomewhatbeyondthelineofthering，Ifeltashocklikethatofelectricity。Thearmfelltomysidenumbedandnerveless，andfrommyhanddropped，butwithinthering，thevesselthatcontainedthefluid。

Recoveringmysurpriseormystun，hastilywiththeotherhandI

caughtupthevessel，butsomeofthescantyliquidwasalreadyspilledonthesward。andIsawwithathrillofdismay，thatcontrastedindeedthetranquilindifferencewithwhichIhadfirstundertakenmycharge，howsmallasupplywasnowleft。

IwentbacktoMargrave，andtoldhimoftheshock，andofitsconsequenceinthewasteoftheliquid。

Beware，saidhe，thatnotamotionofthearm，notaninchofthefoot，passthevergeofthering。andifthefluidbethusunhappilystinted，reserveallthatisleftfortheprotectingcircleandthetwelveouterlamps！SeehowtheGrandWorkadvances，howthehuesinthecaldronareglowingblood-redthroughthefilmonthesurface！

Andnowfourhoursofthesixweregone。myarmhadgraduallyrecovereditsstrength。Neithertheringnorthelampshadagainrequiredreplenishing。perhapstheirlightwasexhaustedlessquickly，asitwasnolongertobeexposedtotheraysoftheintenseAustralianmoon。Cloudshadgatheredoverthesky，andthoughthemoongleamedattimesinthegapsthattheyleftinblueair，herbeamwasmorehazyanddulled。Thelocustsnolongerwereheardinthegrass，northehowlofthedogsintheforest。Outofthecircle，thestillnesswasprofound。

AndaboutthistimeIsawdistinctlyinthedistanceavastEye。

Itdrewnearerandnearer，seemingtomovefromthegroundattheheightofsomeloftygiant。Itsgazerivetedmine。mybloodcurdledintheblazefromitsangryball。andnowasitadvancedlargerandlarger，otherEyes，asifofgiantsinitstrain，grewoutfromthespaceinitsrear——numbersonnumbers，likethespearheadsofsomeEasternarmy，seenafarbypalewardersofbattlementsdoomedtothedust。Myvoicelongrefusedanutterancetomyawe。atlengthitburstforthshrillandloud：

Look，look！ThoseterribleEyes！Legionsonlegions。Andhark！

thattrampofnumberlessfeet。THEYarenotseen，butthehollowsofearthechothesoundoftheirmarch！

Margrave，morethaneverintentonthecaldron，inwhich，fromtimetotime，hekeptdroppingpowdersoressencesdrawnforthfromhiscoffer，lookedup，defyingly，fiercely：

Yecome，hesaidinalowmutter，hisoncemightyvoicesoundinghollowandlaboring，butfearlessandfirm——yecome——nottoconquer，vainrebels！——yewhosedarkchiefIstruckdownatmyfeetinthetombwheremyspellhadraiseduptheghostofyourfirsthumanmaster，theChaldee！Earthandairhavetheirarmiesstillfaithfultome，andstillIrememberthewarsongthatsummonsthemuptoconfrontyou！Ayesha，Ayesha！recallthewildtroththatwepledgedamongtheroses。recallthedreadbondbywhichweunitedourswayoverhoststhatyetowntheeasqueen，thoughmyscepterisbroken，mydiademreftfrommybrows！

TheVeiledWomanroseatthisadjuration。Herveilnowwaswithdrawn，andtheblazeofthefirebetweenMargraveandherselfflushed，aswiththerosybloomofyouth，thegrandbeautyofhersoftenedface。Itwasseen，detached，asitwere，fromherdark-

mantledform。seenthroughthemistofthevaporswhichrosefromthecaldron，framingitroundlikethecloudsthatareyieldinglypiercedbythelightoftheeveningstar。

Throughthehazeofthevaporcamehervoice，moremusical，moreplaintivethanIhadhearditbefore，butfarsofter，moretender：

stillinherforeigntongue。thewordsunknowntome，andyettheirsense，perhaps，madeintelligiblebythelove，whichhasonecommonlanguageandonecommonlooktoallwhohaveloved——theloveunmistakablyheardinthelovingtone，unmistakablyseeninthelovingface。

Amomentorsomoreandshehadcomeroundfromtheoppositesideofthefirepile，andbendingoverMargrave’supturnedbrow，kisseditquietly，solemnly。andthenhercountenancegrewfierce，hercrestroseerect：itwasthelionessprotectingheryoung。Shestretchedforthherarmfromtheblackmantle，athwartthepalefrontthatnowagainbentoverthecaldron——stretchedittowardthehauntedandhollow-soundingspacebeyond，inthegestureofonewhoserighthandhastheswayofthescepter。Andthenhervoicestoleontheairinthemusicofachant，notloudyetfar-

reaching。sothrilling，sosweetandyetsosolemnthatIcouldatoncecomprehendhowlegendunitedofoldthespellofenchantmentwiththepowerofsong。AllthatIrecalledoftheeffectswhich，intheformertime，Margrave’sstrangechantshadproducedontheearthattheyravishedandthethoughtstheyconfused，wasbutasthewildbird’simitativecarol，comparedtothedepthandtheartandthesoulofthesinger，whosevoiceseemedendowedwithacharmtointhrallallthetribesofcreation，thoughthelanguageitusedforthatcharmmighttothem，astome，beunknown。Asthesongceased，IheardfrombehindsoundslikethoseIhadheardinthespacesbeforeme——thetrampofinvisiblefeet，thewhirofinvisiblewings，asifarmiesweremarchingtoaidagainstarmiesinmarchtodestroy。

Looknotinfrontnoraround，saidAyesha。Look，likehim，onthecaldronbelow。Thecircleandthelampsareyetbright。Iwilltellyouwhenthelightagainfails。

Idroppedmyeyesonthecaldron。

See，whisperedMargrave，thesparklesatlastbegintoarise，andtherosehuestodeepen——signsthatwenearthelastprocess。

IX

Thefifthhourhadpassedaway，whenAyeshasaidtome，Lo！thecircleisfading。thelampsgrowdim。Looknowwithoutfearonthespacebeyond。theeyesthatappalledtheeareagainlostinair，aslightningsthatfleetbackintocloud。

Ilookedup，andthespectershadvanished。Theskywastingedwithsulphuroushues，theredandtheblackintermixed。I

replenishedthelampsandtheringinfront，thriftily，heedfully。

butwhenIcametothesixthlamp，notadropinthevesselthatfedthemwasleft。Inavaguedismay，Inowlookedroundthehalfofthewidecircleinrearofthetwobendedfiguresintentonthecaldron。Allalongthatdiskthelightwasalreadybroken，hereandthereflickeringup，hereandtheredyingdown。thesixlampsinthathalfofthecirclestilltwinkled，butfaintly，asstarsshrinkingfastfromthedawnofday。Butitwasnotthefadingshineinthathalfofthemagicalringwhichdauntedmyeyeandquickenedwithterrorthepulseofmyheart。theBush-landbeyondwasonfire。Fromthebackgroundoftheforestrosetheflameandthesmoke——thesmoke，there，stillhalfsmotheringtheflame。Butalongthewidthofthegrassesandherbage，betweenthevergeoftheforestandthebedofthewatercreekjustbelowtheraisedplatformfromwhichIbeheldthedreadconflagration，thefirewasadvancing——waveuponwave，clearandredagainstthecolumnsofrockbehind。astherushofafloodthroughthemistsofsomeAlpcrownedwithlightnings。

RousedfrommystunatthefirstsightofadangernotforeseenbythemindIhadsteeledagainstfarrarerportentsofNature，I

carednomoreforthelampsandthecircle。HurryinghacktoAyeshaIexclaimed：Thephantomshavegonefromthespacesinfront。butwhatincantationorspellcanarresttheredmarchofthefoespeedingonintherear！Whilewegazedonthecaldronoflife，behindus，unheeded，beholdtheDestroyer！

Ayeshalookedandmadenoreply，but，asbyinvoluntaryinstinct，bowedhermajestichead，thenrearingiterect，placedherselfyetmoreimmediatelybeforethewastedformoftheyoungmagician(hestill，bendingoverthecaldron，andhearingmenotintheabsorptionandhopeofhiswatch)——placedherselfbeforehim，asthebirdwhosefirstcareisherfledgling。

Aswetwotherestood，frontingthedelugeoffire，weheardMargravebehindus，murmuringlow，Seethebubblesoflight，howtheysparkleanddance——Ishalllive，Ishalllive！Andhiswordsscarcelydiedinourearsbefore，crashuponcrash，camethefalloftheage-longtreesintheforest，andnearer，allnearus，throughtheblazinggrasses，thehissoftheserpents，thescreamofthebirds，andthebellowandtrampoftheherdsplungingwildthroughthebillowyredoftheirpastures。

AyeshanowwoundherarmsaroundMargrave，andwrenchedhim，reluctantandstruggling，fromhiswatchovertheseethingcaldron。

Inrebukeofhisangryexclamations，shepointedtothemarchofthefire，spokeinsorrowfultonesafewwordsinherownlanguage，andthen，appealingtomeinEnglish，said：

Itellhimthat，here，theSpiritswhoopposeushavesummonedafoethatisdeaftomyvoice，and——

And，exclaimedMargrave，nolongerwithgaspandeffort，butwiththeswellofavoicewhichdrownedallthediscordsofterrorandofagonysentforthfromthePhlegethonburningbelow——andthiswitch，whomItrusted，isavileslaveandimpostor，moredesiringmydeaththanmylife。ShethinksthatinlifeIshouldscornandforsakeher，thatindeathIshoulddieinherarms！Sorceress，avaunt！ArtthouuselessandpowerlessnowwhenIneedtheemost？

Go！Lettheworldbeonefuneralpyre！WhattoMEistheworld？

Myworldismylife！Thouknowestthatmylasthopeishere——thatallthestrengthleftmethisnightwilldiedown，likethelampsinthecircle，unlesstheelixirrestoreit。Boldfriend，spurnthatsorceressaway。Hoursyeterethoseflamescanassailus！A

fewminutesmore，andlifetoyourLilianandme！

Thushavingsaid，Margraveturnedfromus，andcastintothecaldronthelastessenceyetleftinhisemptycoffer。

Ayeshasilentlydrewherblackveiloverherface，andturned，withthebeingsheloved，fromtheterrorhescorned，toshareinthehopethathecherished。

Thusleftalone，withmyreasondisinthralled，disenchanted，I

surveyedmorecalmlytheextentoftheactualperilwithwhichwewerethreatened，andtheperilseemedless，sosurveyed。

ItistruealltheBush-landbehind，almostuptothebedofthecreek，wasonfire。butthegrasses，throughwhichtheflamespreadsorapidly，ceasedattheoppositemargeofthecreek。Waterypoolswerestill，atintervals，leftinthebedofthecreek，shiningtremulous，likewavesoffire，intheglarereflectedfromtheburningland。andevenwherethewaterfailed，thestonycourseoftheexhaustedrivuletwasabarrieragainstthemarchoftheconflagration。Thus，unlessthewind，nowstill，shouldrise，andwaftsomesparkstotheparchedcombustibleherbageimmediatelyaroundus，weweresavedfromthefire，andourworkmightyetbeachieved。

IwhisperedtoAyeshatheconclusiontowhichIcame。

Thinkestthou，sheansweredwithoutraisinghermournfulhead，thattheAgenciesofNaturearethemovementsofchance？TheSpiritsIinvokedtohisaidareleaguedwiththehoststhatassail。AmightierthanIamhasdoomedhim！

ScarcelyhadsheutteredthesewordsbeforeMargraveexclaimed，BeholdhowtheRoseofthealchemist’sdreamenlargesitsbloomsfromthefoldsofitspetals！Ishalllive，Ishalllive！

Ilooked，andtheliquidwhichglowedinthecaldronhadnowtakenasplendorthatmockedallcomparisonsborrowedfromthelusterofgems。Initsprevalentcolorithad，indeed，thedazzleandflashoftheruby。butoutfromthemassofthemoltenred，brokecoruscationsofallprismalhues，shooting，shifting，inaplaythatmadethewaveletsthemselvesseemlivingthings，sensibleoftheirjoy。Nolongerwastherescumorfilmuponthesurface。onlyeverandanonalight，rosyvaporfloatingup，andquicklostinthehaggard，heavy，sulphurousair，hotwiththeconflagrationrushingtowardusfrombehind。Andthesecoruscationsformed，onthesurfaceofthemoltenruby，literallytheshapeofarose，itsleavesmadedistinctintheiroutlinesbysparksofemeraldanddiamondandsapphire。

Evenwhilegazingonthisanimatedliquidluster，abuoyantdelightseemedinfusedintomysenses。allterrorsconceivedbeforewereannulled。thephantoms，whosearmieshadfilledthewidespacesinfront，wereforgotten。thecrashoftheforestbehindwasunheard。

Inthereflectionofthatglory，Margrave’swancheekseemedalreadyrestoredtotheradianceitworewhenIsawitfirstintheframeworkofblooms。

AsIgazed，thusenchanted，acoldhandtouchedmyown。

Hush！whisperedAyesha，fromtheblackveil，againstwhichtheraysofthecaldronfellblunt，andabsorbedintoDark。Behindus，thelightofthecircleisextinct。butthere，weareguardedfromallsavethebrutalandsoullessdestroyers。But，before！——

but，before！——see，twoofthelampshavediedout！——seetheblankofthegapinthering！Guardthatbreach——therethedemonswillenter。

Notadropisthereleftinthisvesselbywhichtoreplenishthelampsonthering。

Advance，then。thouhaststillthelightofthesoul，andthedemonsmayrecoilbeforeasoulthatisdauntlessandguiltless。

Ifnot，Threearelost！——asitis，Oneisdoomed。

Thusadjured，silently，involuntarily，IpassedfromtheVeiledWoman’sside，overthesearlinesontheturfwhichhadbeentracedbythetrianglesoflightlongsinceextinguished，andtowardthevergeofthecircle。AsIadvanced，overheadrushedadarkcloudofwings——birdsdislodgedfromtheforestonfire，andscreaming，indissonantterror，astheyflewtowardthefarthermostmountains。

closebymyfeethissedandglidedthesnakes，drivenforthfromtheirblazingcoverts，andglancingthroughthering，unscaredbyitswaninglamps。allundulatingbyme，bright-eyed，andhissing，allmadeinnocuousbyfear——eventheterribleDeath-adder，whichI

trampledonasIhaltedatthevergeofthecircle，didnotturntobite，butcreptharmlessaway。Ihaltedatthegapbetweenthetwodeadlamps，andbowedmyheadtolookagainintothecrystalvessel。Werethere，indeed，nolingeringdropsyetleft，ifbuttorecruitthelampsforsomepricelessminutesmore？AsIthusstood，rightintothegapbetweenthetwodeadlampsstrodeagiganticFoot。Alltherestoftheformwasunseen。only，asvolumeaftervolumeofsmokepouredonfromtheburninglandbehind，itseemedasifonegreatcolumnofvapor，eddyinground，settleditselfaloftfromthecircle，andthatoutfromthatcolumnstrodethegiantFoot。And，asstrodetheFoot，sowithitcame，likethesoundofitstread，arollofmutteredthunder。

Irecoiled，withacrythatrangloudthroughtheluridair。

Courage！saidthevoiceofAyesha。Tremblingsoul，yieldnotaninchtothedemon！

Atthecharm，thewonderfulcharm，inthetoneoftheVeiledWoman’svoice，mywillseemedtotakeaforcemoresublimethanitsown。Ifoldedmyarmsonmybreast，andstoodasifrootedtothespot，confrontingthecolumnofsmokeandthestrideofthegiantFoot。AndtheFoothalted，mute。

Again，inthemomentaryhushofthatsuspense，Iheardavoice——itwasMargrave’s。

Thelasthourexpires——theworkisaccomplished！Come！come！Aidmetotakethecaldronfromthefire。and，quick！——oradropmaybewastedinvapor——theElixirofLifefromthecaldron！

AtthatcryIreceded，andtheFootadvanced。

Andatthatmoment，suddenly，unawares，frombehind，Iwasstrickendown。Overme，asIlay，sweptawhirlwindoftramplinghoofsandglancinghorns。Theherds，intheirflightfromtheburningpastures，hadrushedoverthebedofthewatercourse，scaledtheslopesofthebanks。Snortingandbellowing，theyplungedtheirblindwaytothemountains。Onecryalone，morewildthantheirownsavageblare，piercedthereekthroughwhichtheBruteHurricaneswept。AtthatcryofwrathanddespairIstruggledtorise，againdashedtoearthbythehoofsandthehorns。Butwasitthedreamlikedeceitofmyreelingsenses，ordidIseethatgiantFootstridepastthroughtheclose-serriedranksofthemaddeningherds？DidIhear，distinctthroughallthehugeuproarofanimalterror，therolloflowthunderwhichfollowedthestrideofthatFoot？

X

Whenmysensehadrecovereditsshock，andmyeyeslookeddizzilyround，thechargeofthebeastshadsweptby。andofallthewildtribeswhichhadinvadedthemagicalcircle，theonlylingererwasthebrownDeath-adder，coiledclosebythespotwheremyheadhadrested。Besidetheextinguishedlampswhichthehoofshadconfusedlyscattered，thefire，arrestedbythewatercourse，hadconsumedthegrassesthatfedit，andtheretheplainsstretchedblackanddesertasthePhlegraeanFieldofthePoet’sHell。Butthefirestillragedintheforestbeyond——whiteflames，soaringupfromthetrunksofthetallesttrees，andforming，throughthesullendarkofthesmokereck，innumerablepillarsoffire，likethehallsinthecityoffiends。

Gatheringmyselfup，Iturnedmyeyesfromtheterriblepompoftheluridforest，andlookedfearfullydownonthehoof-trampledswardformytwocompanions。

IsawthedarkimageofAyeshastillseated，stillbending，asI

hadseenitlast。Isawapalehandfeeblygraspingtherimofthemagicalcaldron，whichlay，hurleddownfromitstripodbytherushofthebeasts，yardsawayfromthedim，fadingembersofthescatteredwoodpyre。Isawthefaintwrithingsofafrail，wastedframe，overwhichtheVeiledWomanwasbending。Isaw，asImovedwithbruisedlimbstotheplace，closebythelipsofthedyingmagician，theflashoftherubylikeessencespilledonthesward，and，meteor-like，sparklingupfromthetorntuftsofherbage。

InowreachedMargrave’sside。BendingoverhimastheVeiledWomanbent，andasIsoughtgentlytoraisehim，heturnedhisface，fiercelyfalteringout，Touchmenot，robmenot！YOUsharewithme！Never，never！Thesegloriousdropsareallmine！Dieallelse！Iwilllive，Iwilllive！Writhinghimselffrommypityingarms，heplungedhisfaceamidstthebeautiful，playfulflameoftheessence，asiftolaptheelixirwithlipsscorchedawayfromitsintolerableburning。Suddenly，withalowshriek，hefellback，hisfaceupturnedtomine，andonthatfaceunmistakablyreignedDeath。

ThenAyeshatenderly，silently，drewtheyoungheadtoherlap，anditvanishedfrommysightbehindherblackveil。

Ikneltbesideher，murmuringsometritewordsofcomfort。butsheheededmenot，rockingherselftoandfroasthemotherwhocradlesachildtosleep。Soonthefast-flickeringsparklesofthelostelixirdiedoutonthegrass。andwiththeirlastsportivediamond-

liketrembleoflight，up，inallthesuddennessofAustralianday，rosethesun，liftinghimselfroyallyabovethemountaintops，andfrontingthemeanerblazeoftheforestasayoungkingfrontshisrebels。Andasthere，wherethebushfireshadravaged，allwasadesert，sothere，wheretheirfuryhadnotspread，allwasagarden。Afar，atthefootofthemountains，thefugitiveherdsweregrazing。thecranes，flockingbacktothepools，renewedthestrangegraceoftheirgambols。andthegreatkingfisher，whoselaugh，halfinmirth，halfinmockery，leadsthechoirthatwelcomethemorn——whichinEuropeisnight——alightedboldontheroofofthecavern，whosefloorswerestillwhitewiththebonesofraces，extinctbefore——sohelplessthroughinstincts，soroyalthroughSoul——roseMAN！

Butthere，onthegroundwherethedazzlingelixirhadwasteditsvirtues——theretheherbagealreadyhadafreshnessofverdurewhich，amidthedullerswardroundit，waslikeanoasisofgreeninadesert。And，there，wildflowers，whosechillhuestheeyewouldhavescarcelydistinguishedthedaybefore，nowglitteredforthinbloomsofunfamiliarbeauty。Towardthatspotwereattractedmyriadsofhappyinsects，whosehumofintensejoywasmusicallyloud。Buttheformofthelife-seekingsorcererlayrigidandstark。blindtothebloomofthewildflowers，deaftothegleeoftheinsects——onehandstillrestingheavilyontherimoftheemptiedcaldron，andthefacestillhidbehindtheBlackVeil。What！thewondrouselixir，soughtwithsuchhopeandwell-

nighachievedthroughsuchdread，fleetingbacktotheearthfromwhichitsmaterialwasdrawntogivebloom，indeed——buttoherbs。

joyindeed——buttoinsects！

Andnow，intheflashofthesun，slowlywounduptheslopesthatledtothecircle，thesamebarbaricprocessionwhichhadsunkintothevalleyundertherayofthemoon。Thearmedmencamefirst，stalwartandtall，theirvestsbravewithcrimsonandgoldenlace，theirweaponsgaylygleamingwithholidaysilver。Afterthem，theBlackLitter。Astheycametotheplace，Ayesha，notraisingherhead，spoketotheminherownEasterntongue。Awailwasheranswer。Thearmedmenboundedforward，andthebearersleftthelitter。

AllgatheredroundthedeadformwiththefaceconcealedundertheBlackVeil。allknelt，andallwept。Farinthedistance，atthefootofthebluemountains，acrowdofthesavagenativeshadrisenupasiffromtheearth。theystoodmotionlessleaningontheirclubsandspears，andlookingtowardthespotonwhichwewere——

strangelythusbroughtintothelandscape，asiftheytoo，thewilddwellersonthevergewhichHumanityguardsfromtheBrute，wereamongthemournersforthemysteriousChildofmysteriousNature！

Andstill，intheherbage，hummedthesmallinsects，andstill，fromthecavern，laughedthegreatkingfisher。IsaidtoAyesha，Farewell！yourlovemournsthedead，minecallsmetotheliving。

Youarenowwithyourownpeople，theymayconsoleyou——sayifI

canassist。

Thereisnoconsolationforme！Whatmournercanbeconsoledifthedeaddieforever？Nothingforhimisleftbutagrave。thatgraveshallbeinthelandwherethesongofAyeshafirstlulledhimtosleep。ThouassistME——thou，thewisemanofEurope！Frommeaskassistance。Whatroadwiltthoutaketothyhome？

Thereisbutoneroadknowntomethroughthemazeofthesolitude——thatwhichwetooktothisupland。

OnthatroadDeathlurks，andawaitsthee！Blinddupe，couldstthouthinkthatifthegrandsecretoflifehadbeenwon，hewhoseheadrestsonmylapwouldhaveyieldedtheeonepettydropoftheessencewhichhadfilchedfromhisstoreoflifebutamoment？Me，whosolovedandsocherishedhim——mehewouldhavedoomedtothepitilesscordofmyservant，theStrangler，ifmydeathcouldhavelengthenedahairbreadththespanofhisbeing。Butwhatmatterstomehiscrimeorhismadness？Ilovedhim，Ilovedhim！

Shebowedherveiledheadlowerandlower。perhapsundertheveilherlipskissedthelipsofthedead。Thenshesaidwhisperingly：

JumatheStrangler，whosewordneverfailedtohismaster，whosepreyneverslippedfromhissnare，waitsthystepontheroadtothyhome！Butthydeathcannotnowprofitthedead，thebeloved。

Andthouhasthadpityforhimwhotookbutthineaidtodesignthydestruction。Hislifeislost，thineissaved！

ShespokenomoreinthetonguethatIcouldinterpret。Shespoke，inthelanguageunknown，afewmurmuredwordstoherswarthyattendants。thenthearmedmen，stillweeping，rose，andmadeadumbsigntometogowiththem。IunderstoodbythesignthatAyeshahadtoldthemtoguardmeonmyway。butshegavenoreplytomypartingthanks。

XI

Idescendedintothevalley。thearmedmenfollowed。Thepath，onthatsideofthewatercoursenotreachedbytheflames，woundthroughmeadowsstillgreen，oramidstgrovesstillunscathed。AsaturninginthewaybroughtinfrontofmysighttheplaceIhadleftbehind，Ibeheldtheblacklittercreepingdownthedescent，withitscurtainsclosed，andtheVeiledWomanwalkingbyitsside。

Butsoonthefuneralprocessionwaslosttomyeyes，andthethoughtsthatitrousedwereerased。Thewavesinman’sbrainarelikethoseofthesea，rushingon，rushingoverthewrecksofthevesselsthatrodeontheirsurface，tosink，afterstorm，intheirdeeps。Onethoughtcastforthintothefuturenowmasteredallinthepast：WasLilianlivingstill？Absorbedinthegloomofthatthought，hurriedonbythegoadthatmyheart，initstorturedimpatience，gavetomyfootstep，Ioutstrippedtheslowstrideofthearmedmen，and，midwaybetweentheplaceIhadleftandthehomewhichIspedto，came，farinadvanceofmyguards，intothethicketinwhichtheBushmenhadstartedupinmypathonthenightthatLilianhadwatchedformycoming。Theearthatmyfeetwasrifewithcreepingplantsandmany-coloredflowers，theskyoverheadwashalfhidbymotionlesspines。Suddenly，whethercrawlingoutfromtheherbageordroppingdownfromthetrees，bymysidestoodthewhite-robedandskeletonform——Ayesha’sattendanttheStrangler。

Isprangfromhimshuddering，thenhaltedandfacedhim。Thehideouscreaturecrepttowardme，cringingandfawning，makingsignsofhumblegoodwillandservileobeisance。AgainIrecoiled——

wrathfully，loathingly，turnedmyfacehomeward，andfledon。I

thoughtIhadbaffledhischase，when，justatthemouthofthethicket，hedroppedfromaboughinmypathclosebehindme。

BeforeIcouldturn，somedarkmufflingsubstancefellbetweenmysightandthesun，andIfeltafiercestrainatmythroat。ButthewordsofAyeshahadwarnedme。withonerapidhandIseizedthenoosebeforeitcouldtightentooclosely，withtheotherItorethebandageawayfrommyeyes，and，wheelingroundonthedastardlyfoe，struckhimdownwithonespurnofmyfoot。Hishand，ashefell，relaxeditsholdonthenoose。Ifreedmythroatfromtheknot，andsprangfromthecopseintothebroadsunlitplain。IsawnomoreofthearmedmenortheStrangler。Pantingandbreathless，Ipausedatlastbeforethefence，fragrantwithblossoms，thatdividedmyhomefromthesolitude。

ThewindowsofLilian’sroomweredarkened。allwithinthehouseseemedstill。

Darkenedandsilencedhome，withthelightandsoundsofthejocunddayallaroundit。WasthereyethopeintheUniverseforme？AlltowhichIhadtrustedHopehadbrokendown。theanchorsIhadforgedforherholdinthebedsoftheocean，herstayfromthedriftsofthestorm，hadsnappedlikethereedswhichpiercethesidethatleansonthebarboftheirpoints，andconfidesinthestrengthoftheirstems。Nohopeinthebaffledresourcesofrecognizedknowledge！NohopeinthedaringadventuresofMindintoregionsunknown。vainalikethecalmloreofthepracticedphysician，andthemagicalartsofthefatedEnchanter！IhadfledfromthecommonplaceteachingsofNature，toexploreinherShadowlandmarvelsatvariancewithreason。Madebravebythegrandeuroflove，IhadopposedwithoutquailingthestrideoftheDemon，andmyhope，whenfruitionseemednearest，hadbeentroddenintodustbythehoofsofthebeast！Andyet，allthewhile，Ihadscorned，asadream，morewildthanthewordofasorcerer，thehopethattheoldmanandthechild，thewiseandtheignorant，tookfromtheirsoulsasinborn。Manandfiendhadalikefailedamind，notignoble，notskill-less，notabjectlycraven。alikefailedaheartnotfeebleandselfish，notdeadtothehero’sdevotion，willingtoshedeverydropofitsbloodforasomethingmoredearthanananimal’slifeforitself！Whatremained——whatremainedforman’shope？——man’smindandman’sheartthusexhaustingtheirallwithnootherresultbutdespair！Whatremainedbutthemysteryofmysteries，socleartothesunriseofchildhood，thesunsetofage，onlydimmedbythecloudswhichcollectroundthenoonofourmanhood？WhereyetwasHopefound？

Inthesoul。initsevery-dayimpulsetosupplicatecomfortandlight，fromtheGiverofsoul，wherevertheheartisafflicted，themindisobscured。

ThenthewordsofAyesharushedoverme：Whatmournercanbeconsoled，ifthedeaddieforever？Througheverypulseofmyframethrobbedthatdreadquestion。allNaturearoundseemedtomurmurit。Andsuddenly，asbyaflashfromheaven，thegrandtruthinFaber’sgrandreasoningshoneonme，andlightedupall，withinandwithout。Manalone，ofallearthlycreatures，asks，Canthedeaddieforever？andtheinstinctthaturgesthequestionisGod’sanswertoman。Noinstinctisgiveninvain。

Andbornwiththeinstinctofsoulistheinstinctthatleadsthesoulfromtheseentotheunseen，fromtimetoeternity，fromthetorrentthatfoamstowardtheOceanofDeath，tothesourceofitsstream，faraloftfromtheOcean。

Knowthyself，saidthePythianofold。ThatpreceptdescendedfromHeaven。Knowthyself！Isthatmaximwise？Ifso，knowthysoul。Butneveryetdidmancometothethoroughconvictionofsoulbutwhatheacknowledgedthesovereignnecessityofprayer。

Inmyawe，inmyrapture，allmythoughtsseemedenlargedandillumedandexalted。Iprayed——allmysoulseemedoneprayer。Allmypast，withitsprideandpresumptionandfolly，grewdistinctastheformofapenitent，kneelingforpardonbeforesettingforthonthepilgrimagevowedtoashrine。And，surenow，inthedeepsofasoulfirstrevealedtomyself，thattheDeaddonotdieforever，myhumanlovesoaredbeyonditsbrieftrialofterrorandsorrow。

DaringnottoaskfromHeaven’swisdomthatLilian，formysake，mightnotyetpassawayfromtheearth，IprayedthatmysoulmightbefittedtobearwithsubmissionwhatevermyMakermightordain。

Andifsurvivingher——withoutwhomnobeamfromyonmaterialsuncouldeverwarmintojoyamorrowinhumanlife——sotoguidemystepsthattheymightrejoinheratlast，andinrejoining，regainforever！

Howtrivialnowbecametheweirdriddle，that，alittlewhilebefore，hadbeenclothedinsosolemnanawe！WhatmatteredittothevastinterestsinvolvedintheclearrecognitionofSoulandHereafter，whetherornotmybodilysense，foramoment，obscuredthefaceoftheNatureIshouldonedaybeholdasaspirit？

Doubtlessthesightsandthesoundswhichhadhauntedthelastgloomynight，thecalmreasonofFaberwouldstripoftheirmagicalseemings。theEyesinthespaceandtheFootinthecirclemightbethoseofnoterribleDemons，butofthewild’ssavagechildrenwhomIhadseen，halting，curiousandmute，inthelightofthemorning。

Thetremoroftheground(ifnot，asheretofore，explicablebytheillusoryimpressionofmyowntreacheroussenses)mightbebutthenaturaleffectofelementsstrugglingyetunderasoilunmistakablycharredbyvolcanoes。Theluminousatomsdissolvedinthecaldronmightaslittlebefraughtwithavitalelixirasarethesplendorsofnaphthaorphosphor。Asitwas，theweirdritehadnomagicresult。Themagicianwasnotrentlimbfromlimbbythefiends。

Bycausesasnaturalaseverextinguishedlife’ssparkinthefraillampofclay，hehaddiedoutofsight——undertheblackveil。

WhatmatteredhenceforthtoFaith，initsfargranderquestionsandanswers，whetherReason，inFaber，orFancy，inme，suppliedthemoreprobableguessatahieroglyphwhich，ifconstruedaright，wasbutawordofsmallmarkinthemysticallanguageofNature？IfalltheartsofenchantmentrecordedbyFablewereattestedbyfactswhichSageswereforcedtoacknowledge，Sageswouldsoonerorlaterfindsomecauseforsuchportents——notsupernatural。ButwhatSage，withoutcausesupernatural，bothwithoutandwithinhim，canguessatthewondersheviewsinthegrowthofabladeofgrass，orthetintsonaninsect’swing？WhateverartMancanachieveinhisprogressthroughtime，Man’sreason，intime，cansufficetoexplain。ButthewondersofGod？ThesebelongtotheInfinite。andthese，OImmortal！willbutdevelopnewwonderonwonder，thoughthysightbeaspirit’s，andthyleisuretotrackandtosolveaneternity。

AsIraisedmyfacefrommyclaspedhands，myeyesfellfulluponaformstandingintheopendoorway。There，whereonthenightinwhichLilian’slongstruggleforreasonandlifehadbegun，theLuminousShadowhadbeenbeheldinthedoubtfullightofadyingmoonandayethazydawn。there，onthethreshold，gatheringroundherbrightlockstheaureoleoftheglorioussun，stoodAmy，theblessedchild！AndasIgazed，drawingnearerandnearertothesilencedhouse，andthatImageofPeaceonitsthreshold，IfeltthatHopemetmeatthedoor——Hopeinthechild’ssteadfasteyes，Hopeinthechild’swelcomingsmile！

Iwasatwatchforyou，whisperedAmy。Alliswell。

Shelivesstill——shelives！ThankGod，thankGod！

Shelives——shewillrecover！saidanothervoice，asmyheadsunkonFaber’sshoulder。Forsomehoursinthenighthersleepwasdisturbed，convulsed。Ifeared，then，theworst。Suddenly，justbeforethedawn，shecalledoutaloud，stillinsleep：

’ThecoldanddarkshadowhaspassedawayfrommeandfromAllen——

passedawayfromusbothforever！’

Andfromthatmomentthefeverlefther。thebreathingbecamesoft，thepulsesteady，andthecolorstolegraduallybacktohercheek。Thecrisisispast。Nature’sbenignDisposerhaspermittedNaturetorestoreyourlife’sgentlepartner，hearttoheart，mindtomind——

Andsoultosoul，Icriedinmysolemnjoy。Aboveasbelow，soultosoul！Then，atasignfromFaber，thechildtookmebythehandandledmeupthestairsintoLilian’sroom。

Againthosedeararmsclosedaroundmeinwifelikeandholylove，andthosetruelipskissedawaymytears——evenasnow，atthedistanceofyearsfromthathappymorn，whileIwritethelastwordsofthisStrangeStory，thesamefaithfularmsclosearoundme，thesametenderlipskissawaymytears。

ThomasDeQuinceyTheAvengerWhycallestthoumemurderer，andnotratherthewrathofGodburningafterthestepsoftheoppressor，andcleansingtheearthwhenitiswetwithblood？

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