a journey in other worlds-第60章
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is still alive。〃
〃I pray that God will grant you this；〃 said the spirit； 〃and make
me His instrument； for I see the depth of your distress。〃 Saying
which； he vanished； leaving no trace in his departure except that
the pillar of stone returned to its place。
With this rather vague hope； Ayrault set off to rejoin his
companions； for he felt the need of human sympathy。 Saturn's
rapid rotation had brought the earth almost to the zenith； the
little point shining with the unmistakably steady ray of a
planet。 Huge bats fluttered about him； and the great
cloud…masses swept across the sky； being part of Saturn's
ceaseless whirl。 He found he was in a hypnotic or spiritualistic
state； for it was not necessary for him to have his eyes open to
know where he was。 In passing one of the pools they had noticed；
he observed that the upper and previously invisible liquid had
the bright colour of gold； and about it rested a group of figures
enveloped in light。
〃Why do you look so sad？〃 they asked。 〃You are in that abode of
departed spirits known as paradise； and should be happy。〃
〃I suppose I should be happy； were I here as you are； as the
reward of merit；〃 he replied。 〃But I am still in the flesh； and
as such am subject to its cares。〃
〃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 clouds； and Ayrault
hastened towards the Callisto； intending to remain there； if
necessary； until the storm was over。 For about twenty minutes he
hurried on through the growing darkness； stopping once on high
ground to make sure of his bearings； and he had covered more than
half the distance when the rain came on in a flood； accompanied
by brilliant lightning。 Seeing the huge； hollow trunk of a
fallen tree near； and not wishing to be wet through； Ayrault
fired several solid shots from his revolver into the cavity； to
drive out any wild animals there might be inside； and then
hurriedly crawled in； feet first。 He next drew in his head； and
was congratulating himself on his snug retreat； when the sky
became lurid with a flash of lightning； then his head dropped
forward； and he was unconscious。
CHAPTER XI。
DREAMLAND TO SHADOWLAND。
As Ayrault's consciousness returned； he fancied he heard music。
Though distant； it was distinct； and seemed to ring from the
ether of space。 Occasionally it sounded even more remote； but it
was rhythmical and continuous； inspiring and stirring him as
nothing that he had ever heard before。 Finally； it was overcome
by the more vivid impressions upon his other senses； and he found
himself walking in the streets of his native city。 It was
spring； and the trees were white with buds。 The long shadows of
the late afternoon stretched across the way； but the clear sky
gave indication of prolonged twilight； and the air was warm and
balmy。 Nature was filled with life； and seemed to be proclaiming
that the cold was past。
As he moved along the street he met a funeral procession。
〃What a pity；〃 he thought； 〃a man should die； with summer so near
at hand！〃
He was also surprised at the keenness of his sight； for； inclosed
in each man's body； he saw the outline of his soul。 But the dead
man's body was empty； like a cage without a bird。 He also read
the thoughts in their minds。
〃Now；〃 said a large man in the carriage next the hearse； 〃I may
win her； since she is a widow。〃
The widow herself kept thinking： 〃Would it had been I！ His life
was essential to the children； while I should scarcely have been
missed。 I wish I had no duties here； and might follow him now。〃
While pondering on these things； he reached Sylvia's house； and
went into the little room in which he had so often seen her。 The
warm southwesterly breeze blew through the open windows； and far
beyond Central Park the approaching sunset promised to be
beautiful。 The table was covered with flowers； and though he had
often seen that variety； he had never before noticed the
marvellous combinations of colours； while the room was filled
with a thousand delicious perfumes。 The thrush hanging in the
window sang divinely； and in a silver frame he saw a likeness of
himself。
〃I have always loved this room；〃 he thought； 〃but it seems to me
now like heaven。〃
He sat down in an arm…chair from force of habit； to await his
fiancee。
〃Oh； for a walk with Sylvia by twilight！〃 his thoughts ran on；
〃for she need not be at home again till after seven。〃
Presently he heard the soft rustle of her dress； and rose to meet
her。 Though she looked in his direction； she did not seem to see
him； and walked past him to the window。 She was the picture of
loveliness silhouetted against the sky。 He went towards her； and
gazed into her deep…sea eyes； which had a far…away expression。
She turned； went gracefully to the mantelpiece； and took a
photograph of herself from behind the clock。 On its back Ayrault
had scrawled a boyish verse composed by himself； which ran：
〃My divine； most ideal Sylvia；
O vision； with eyes so blue；
'Tis in the highest degree consequential；
To my existence in fact essential；
That I should be loved by you。〃
As she read and reread those lines； with his whole soul he
yearned to have her look at him。 He watched the colour come and
go in her clear； bright complexion； and was rejoiced to see in
her the personification of activity and health。 Beneath his own
effusion on the photograph he saw something written in pencil； in
the hand he knew so well：
〃Did you but know how I love you；
No more silly things would you ask。
With my whole heart and soul I adore you
