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，literally”framedinblooms。”
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，wecallthe”Fairy’sring，”butyetmorevisiblebecausemarkedinphosphorescentlight。Ontheringthusformedwereplacedtwelvesmalllamps，fedwiththefluidfromthesamevessel，andlightedbythesamerod。Thelightemittedbythelampswasmorevividandbrilliantthanthatwhichcircledroundthering。
Withinthecircumference，andimmediatelyroundthewoodpile，Margravetracedcertaingeometricalfigures，inwhich——notwithoutashudder，thatIovercameatoncebyastrongeffortofwillinmurmuringtomyselfthenameof”Lilian”——Irecognizedtheinterlacedtriangleswhichmyownhand，inthespellenforcedonasleepwalker，haddescribedonthefloorofthewizard’spavilion。
Thefiguresweretracedlikethecircle，inflame，andatthepointofeachtrianglefourinnumberwasplacedalamp，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，placedherselfyetmoreimmediatelybeforethewastedformoftheyoungmagicianhestill，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。
Thetremorofthegroundifnot，asheretofore，explicablebytheillusoryimpressionofmyowntreacheroussensesmightbebutthenaturaleffectofelementsstrugglingyetunderasoilunmistakablycharredbyvolcanoes。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。