nly it seemed strange to me that so much
wealth of jewels should be thrown by command of a man who had nothing
to fear--to fall flashing and changing their colours at dawn into an
abyss.

I do not know how long we lingered there watching the sunrise on those
miles of amethyst. And it is strange that that great and famous
wonder did not move me more than it did, but my mind was dazzled by
the fame of it and my eyes were actually dazzled by the blaze, and as
often happens I thought more of little things and remember watching
the daylight in the solitary sapphire that Saranoora had and that she
wore upon her finger in a ring. Then, the dawn wind being all about
her, she said that she was cold and turned back into the ivory palace.
And I feared that we might never meet again, for time moves
differently over the Lands of Dream than over the fields we know; like
ocean-currents going different ways and bearing drifting ships. And
at the doorway of the ivory palace I turned to say farewell and yet I
found no words that were suitable to say. And often now when I stand
in other lands I stop and think of many things to have said; yet all I
said was "Perhaps we shall meet again." And she said that it was
likely that we should often meet for that this was a little thing for
the gods to permit not knowing that the gods of the Lands of Dream
have little power upon the fields we know. Then she went in through
the doorway. And having exchanged for my own clothes again the raiment
that the chamberlain had given me I turned from the hospitality of
mighty Singanee and set my face towards the fields we know. I crossed
that enormous tusk that had been the end of Perdondaris and met the
artists carving it as I went; and some by way of greeting as I passed
extolled Singanee, and in answer I gave honour to his name. Daylight
had not yet penetrated wholly to the bottom of the abyss but the
darkness was giving place to a purple haze and I could faintly see one
golden dragon there. Then looking once towards the ivory palace, and
seeing no one at the windows, I turned sorrowfully away, and going by
the way that I knew passed through the gap in the mountains and down
their slopes till I came again in sight of the witch's cottage. And
as I went to the upper window to look for the fields we know, the
witch spoke to me; but I was cross, as one newly waked from sleep, and
I would not answer her. Then the cat questioned me as to whom I had
met,