ll sides by great marble pillars supporting galleries
above, I saw a large fountain of porphyry in the middle, throwing up a
lofty column of water, which fell, with a noise as of the fusion of all
sweet sounds, into a basin beneath; overflowing which, it ran into a
single channel towards the interior of the building. Although the moon
was by this time so low in the west, that not a ray of her light fell
into the court, over the height of the surrounding buildings; yet was
the court lighted by a second reflex from the sun of other lands. For
the top of the column of water, just as it spread to fall, caught the
moonbeams, and like a great pale lamp, hung high in the night air, threw
a dim memory of light (as it were) over the court below. This court was
paved in diamonds of white and red marble. According to my custom since
I entered Fairy Land, of taking for a guide whatever I first found
moving in any direction, I followed the stream from the basin of the
fountain. It led me to a great open door, beneath the ascending steps of
which it ran through a low arch and disappeared. Entering here, I found
myself in a great hall, surrounded with white pillars, and paved with
black and white. This I could see by the moonlight, which, from the
other side, streamed through open windows into the hall.

Its height I could not distinctly see. As soon as I entered, I had
the feeling so common to me in the woods, that there were others
there besides myself, though I could see no one, and heard no sound to
indicate a presence. Since my visit to the Church of Darkness, my power
of seeing the fairies of the higher orders had gradually diminished,
until it had almost ceased. But I could frequently believe in their
presence while unable to see them. Still, although I had company, and
doubtless of a safe kind, it seemed rather dreary to spend the night in
an empty marble hall, however beautiful, especially as the moon was near
the going down, and it would soon be dark. So I began at the place where
I entered, and walked round the hall, looking for some door or passage
that might lead me to a more hospitable chamber. As I walked, I was
deliciously haunted with the feeling that behind some one of the
seemingly innumerable pillars, one who loved me was waiting for me. Then
I thought she was following me from pillar to pillar as I went along;
but no arms came out of the faint moonlight, and no sigh assured me of
her presence.

At length I came t