As he spoke they passed through a series of lovely groves--first, trees of heavy wood such as cedar, oak, pine, and chestnut; then fruit trees, apple, orange, pear; then nut trees of varied kinds. As they walked on they noticed that the series of groves grew in such a pattern as to form a spiral of huge dimensions, toward the center of which they were now journeying. Soon they beheld such scenes as neither David nor Ruth had ever imagined or pictured. Here and there were charming and lovely little houses built in the midst of beautiful groves, each house surrounded by a garden filled with sweet-scented flowers. The delicious fragrance reminded David of the odours he had caught that first day when he had entered the Country that lay just the other side of the little door in the tree trunk, only now it was much stronger, sweeter, and nearer. Here were also olive trees, sweet-scented shrubs, and rose trees. “You will find your house in time,” said the stranger. “For it is in the Garden somewhere.” “Our house!” said Ruth. “How beautiful that will be.” They journeyed on. The light grew more and more brilliant. It was not the kind of light that dazzles the eye and pains: it gave an effect more like that which one feels in watching the sun rise, when the first streaks of dawn come in the sky and every moment brings more light, makes all objects more distinct and vivid. It seemed as if each step took them nearer and nearer to the serene splendour of noontime. At last they came to a Temple surrounded by trees, flowers, and shrubs of every sort, built within this wonderful and beautiful Garden. “This is the Temple of Wisdom,” said their guide. “The Tree--?” questioned David. “The Tree stands within the courtyard of the Temple,” answered the stranger, “for the Temple has been built around it.” “May we enter?” asked David. “All who desire to enter are welcome,” said the stranger. A sound broke forth through the sweetness of the fragrant air. It was the joyous song of the Blue Bird! [Illustration: “WELCOME, CHILDREN,” SHE SAID. “WELCOME TO YOUR COTTAGE”] David and Ruth looked into one another’s eyes. The song re-echoed in their hearts. The stranger and his friends had left them, and they were quite alone. They looked about. The Bird sang again. The music drew them forward in the direction whence it came. Before them they saw a rose-covered cottage. The door opened, and the beautiful little old woman of the Mansion of Happiness stood before them, smiling. “Welcome, children,” she said. “Welcome to your cottage.” * * * * * David and Ruth had reached the end of their long, long journey. Through it all they had been learning to love one another, so that they were worthy to become husband and wife.