"You are about to have an experience," said another speaker. "This day
your doubts will be at rest, for before another sunset you will know
more of the woman you love."

The intensity of the spiritualistic influence here somewhat weakened,
for he partially lost sight of the luminous figures, and could no
longer hear what they said. His heart was in his mouth as he walked,
and he felt like a man about to set out on his honeymoon, or like a
bride who knows not whether to laugh or to cry. An indescribable
exhilaration was constantly present.

"I wonder," thought he, "if a caterpillar has these sensations before
becoming a butterfly? Though I return to the rock from which I sprang,
I believe I shall be with Sylvia to-day."

Footprints formed in the soft ground all around him, and the air was
filled with spots of phosphorescent light that coincided with the
relative positions of the brains, hearts, and eyes of human beings.
These surrounded and often preceded him, as though leading him on,
while the most heavenly anthems filled the air and the vault of the sky.

"I believe," he thought, with bounding heart, "that I shall be
initiated into the mysteries of space this night."

At times he could hear even the words of the choruses ringing in his
ears, though at others he thought the effect was altogether in his mind.

"Oh, for a proof," he prayed, "that no sane man can doubt! My faith is
implicit in the bishop and the vision, and I feel that in some way I
shall return to earth ere the close of another day, for I know I am
awake, and that this is no dream."

A fire burned in the mouth of the cave, within which Bearwarden and
Cortlandt lay sleeping. The specks of mica in the rocks reflected its
light, but in addition to this a diffused phosphorescence filled the
place, and the large sod-covered stones they used for pillows emitted
purple and dark red flames.

"Is that you, Dick?" asked Bearwarden, awaking and groping about. "We
built up the fire so that you should find the camp, but it seems to
have gone down." Saying which, he struck a match, whereupon Ayrault
ceased to see the phosphorescence or bluish light. At that moment a
peal of thunder awakened Cortlandt, who sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"I think," said Ayrault, "I will go to the Callisto and get our
mackintoshes before the rain sets in." Whereupon he left his
companions, who were soon again fast asleep.

The sky had suddenly become filled with clou