He moved to a new position, so that we formed a triangle again. Dimly at the time I understood. The circle signified the union which, having received, enclosed the mighty forces. Only it enclosed too much; the danger of misdirection had appeared. The triangle, her body forming the apex towards the open night, aimed at controlling the immense arrival by lessening the entry. Another thing stood out, too, with crystal clearness--at the time: the elemental Powers sought the easiest channel, the channel of least resistance, the body still unoccupied: whereas Julius offered--himself. The risk must be his and his alone. There was--in those few steps he took across the dim-lit room--a sense of tremendous, if sinister, drama that swept my heart with both tenderness and terror. The significance of his changed position was staggering. I watched the sleeper closely. The lips grew more compressed, and the fingers of both hands clenched themselves upon the dark dress on her lap. I saw the muscles of the altering face contract with effort; the whole framework of the body became more rigid. Then, after several minutes, followed a gradual relaxation, as she sank back again into her original position. “They retire ...” she murmured with a sigh. “They retire ... into darkness a little. But they still ... wait and hover. I hear the rush of their great passing.... I see the distant shine of fire ... still.” “And the souls?” he asked gently, “do they now return?” She lowered her head as with a gesture of relief. “They are crowding, crowding. I see them as an endless flight of birds....” She held out her arms, then shrank back sharply. An expression I could not interpret flashed across the face. Behind a veil, it seemed. And the stern voice of Julius broke in upon the arrested action: “Invite them by your will. Draw to you by desire and love one eager soul. The little vacant body must be occupied, so that the Mighty Ones, returning, shall find it thus impossible of entry.” It was a command; it was also a precaution; for if the body of the child were left open it would inevitably attract the invading Powers from--himself. I watched her very closely then. I saw her again stretch out her arms and hands, then once again--draw sharply back. But this time I understood the expression on the quivering face. The veil had lifted.