“It is worth loneliness to be the only woman in a world!” she replied. The cold, hopeless acceptance of her tone shocked me immeasurably. Another thought! True, a world was in our possession! The sun had passed the noon mark when Father Renaudin came down the hills. A wonderful peace was on his face; a strange delight was in his eyes. “Earth has not all she needs. We can learn faster here!” he replied to our wondering comments. “He thinks he has seen another vision, I believe!” whispered Isabella. “No; he thinks nothing! Father Renaudin is of the mould of that humanity which does see visions if ever they are seen!” said Regan. Just then we saw the great world rise up—a fiery globe, where dimly emerald and palely blue were lands and seas. The continents turned before our eyes. The light of this giant moon made it still day for us, though our sun had set. Oh! grand, great world! I cast myself upon the rocks in agony that it was lost, _lost_! Something was whispering in my ear: “Duped, duped, duped again, Roy Lee!” “My son,” and Father Renaudin laid his hand gently upon my shoulder, “do not let sorrow overcome you. It is nothing. Only a human life lost. A sort of death has come. It is a kind death—removal from temptation, from necessity to sin; a respite for glorious work; the chance for a higher place in eternity.” “A world unfinished; seas simmering over primeval fires. A baby world, devoid of great opportunity. It is as Regan says. God, if God there be, has forgotten us!” “Not so, not so! Being here, God’s work for us is here. Shall we not do it? Rise up! Shake off your grief, apply your wonderful ability, your great practical knowledge, to the improvement of the sphere!” His voice was as a song of triumph, a chant of victory! As I rose to my feet, Regan sprung lightly past me. He took his stand upon a huge square rock; from his cloak he drew a large silken banner wrought with a showy design in red and gold. He shook its folds to the wind. “I claim this world, with all its contents, by right of discovery! It is my just possession! Its sovereign am I! Its seas are my ways, its lands my domains, its people my subjects!” Turning to Father Renaudin, Regan held toward him a shining band of silver, set with gems. “Here, Father Renaudin, put this on my brow! You are the highest religious dignitary of the world in which I am!” “Not so!” cried I. “No man’s subject am I! The people rule! Father Renaudin, you will not found a monarchy where no such absurd abomination has ever existed!” “Have not the worlds themselves one sun supreme for ruler? Find in the universe one whirling, stupendous monarchy! Where is the denunciation in Holy Writ against a good king? God himself upholds thrones!” “This man is a scoundrel, a fiendish monster! See how he toys with lives and souls.”