(_Amazed_.) Hullo!... What's the matter with her?... She seems quite in a hurry to-day and moves like an angel. (_Enter next_ MILETTE, BELLINE, ROSELLE _and_ ROSARELLE, _followed by_ AIMETTE _and_ Jalline, _who are supporting_ DESTINY _between them. He is now a head shorter than_ TYLTYL, _wears the same tragic costume as before, seems very weary and sinks down on a heap of snow_.) TYLTYL (_Going to him, with a certain solicitude_.) Are you ill? DESTINY I? Not at all: I am always the same, I am unchangeable.... But when you alone are responsible for everything, when you have to manage everything, direct everything and foresee everything and when nobody helps you (_casting an aggressive eye on_ LIGHT), you are entitled to a moment's rest.... I therefore order a halt. It is decided irrevocably: to-day we go no farther. LIGHT Admirable! And so it shall be, for we have arrived; and with Destiny's permission, we shall find ourselves, without taking another step, among the children who are awaiting us.... (_The curtain parts and opens upon the next scene_.) SCENE IX _The Abode of the Children_ _The immense halls, the lofty vaults, the infinite perspectives of arches and columns of the Kingdom of the Future in "The Blue Bird"; but this time, it being the nuptial hour, everything is of a soft, milky white, gleaming and transparent. The radiant shapes of amber-coloured light bathe in unspeakable gladness all the things that they touch; and everywhere are signs of a deep and unfaltering joy. The boundless horizon stretches towards the veiled white of the Milky Way, the ether quivering with myriads of unknown stars_. (_When the curtain opens_, TYLTYL, LIGHT, DESTINY _and_ THE SIX GIRLS _are in the foreground, on the right, at the foot of one of the alabaster columns supporting the entrance-arch. They take a few steps into the immense deserted hall, while_ THE WHITE PHANTOM _hides timidly behind the column_.) TYLTYL (_A little disappointed_.) There's nobody here!... LIGHT I know why it is. There are several doors; as you were all very tired, I chose the one that was nearest. They are probably waiting for us at the principal entrance. TYLTYL How shall we let them know? LIGHT The atmosphere will do that: here everything is known immediately and every event happens everywhere at the same moment. TYLTYL It's a very fine place, this: splendid large rooms and a very high ceiling; lots of light and air.... LIGHT And it's still always inside yourself. TYLTYL What, this is inside me too? LIGHT Why, yes; of course it is. TYLTYL Very well, then; that's all right. Please step in: you're very welcome. Won't you sit down while you wait? LIGHT We shall not have long to wait, for I believe they have seen us.