And soon in the distance a city shone fair; "Look yonder," he said, "there it gleams!" But alas! for the hopes that were doomed to despair, It was only the Kingdom of Dreams. Then the next man I asked was a gay cavalier, And he said: "Follow me, follow me," And with laughter and song we went speeding along By the shores of life's beautiful sea, Till we came to a valley more tropical far, Than the wonderful Vale of Cashmere. And I saw from a bower a face like a flower, Smile out on the gay cavalier. And he said: "We have come to humanity's goal-- Here love and delight are intense." But alas! and alas! for the hope of my soul-- It was only the Kingdom of Sense. As I journeyed more slowly, I met on the road, A coach with retainers behind, And they said: "Follow us, for our lady's abode Belongs in the realm you would find." 'Twas a grand dame of fashion, a newly-wed bride; I followed, encouraged and bold. But my hopes died away, like the last gleams of day, For we came to the Kingdom of Gold. At the door of a cottage I asked a fair maid. "I have heard of that Realm," she replied, "But my feet never roam from the Kingdom of Home, So I know not the way," and she sighed. I looked on the cottage, how restful it seemed! And the maid was as fair as a dove. Great light glorified my soul as I cried, "Why, _home_ is the Kingdom of Love!" The following day, when Percy ushered himself into Dolores' apartments by his latch-key, he was surprised to find those bijou rooms in a state of disorder. Boxes, trunks, and packing cases were scattered about, while Dolores, attired in a loose white gown, was busily at work arranging garments and bric-a-bric. "What in the world are you doing?" he asked, in amazement. "Are you going away?" She lifted her wan, white face to his, with a look so pathetic, so full of widowed sorrow, that his heart smote him. O, Sin! how bitter are thy fruits. "Yes, I am going away," she said. "Come and sit down here, and let me tell you all about it." And she led him to his favorite chair and sank upon the ottoman at his feet. "Ever since you went away the last time, I have been thinking, thinking, thinking," she said, pressing her hands to her head, "until I nearly grew wild. And the result of it all is, that I am going away: going to California. I think it is better that we should be parted, at least for a time." She looked eagerly in his face; somehow she had fancied that when he found she was really determined to go away from him, that his old love for her, and his longing for her companionship would overmaster every other consideration. She had reasoned it all out, through the sleepless night.