“Then Vestasian, still laughing, rose to leave the Assembly. “‘I am still a single spirit,’ he observed. ‘More lonely than most, yet still quite content. When from Earth a female Spirit is raised pure enough and wise enough to aspire unto the Godhead, I will marry her and admit that a Free Will is not a bad thing—even in Woman.’ “And with that he went away, and all remaining laughed. “From that time forward the jest rolled onward, for to Vestasian and those like him it was nothing better than a jest, nor ever has been. They have fought and been obliged to suffer, even as we, because the spiritual warfare is incessant. “We were in a perfect mystery about the earth. Beyond its shape and natural organism we knew nothing further of it. “Gradually as the ages went by we discovered signs of life there. From this, in time, insects sprang, and hideous monsters and huge animals, and on all this we were obliged to keep incessant and untiring watch to discover when man first made his entry. This, as you know, was not for long, long ages. We touched first here and there on every animal, but found none sensitive: none responded in any way, and the rays slipped blunted aside.” “But could you not tell from his appearance?” I asked, interrupting for the first time. “No. There was no Garden of Eden as the Bible has it. That Garden of Eden might have been, and was not. It was Vestasian’s dream. Man was no different from the other animals when we found him; the mysterious jewel was hidden underneath unknown to us. “One day one of our number had sent a shaft of light on to an animal more hideous than most, or so it seemed to us. There was no response, but as the shaft glanced aside it struck another of the same class lying near. The effect was very unexpected, though slight and momentary; the creature trembled. Having notified this much, another ray was directed full on this, a cry of pain followed. That was a surprise, a very sad one, because this was healing light. Here then we had found the first little clue to the great secret of humanity. The powers of hell laughed when they heard that cry, laughed when they saw our pained surprise. They had understood and waited for it. This that the ray had pierced was a woman. Well might Vestasian’s words call up a smile, for it was a thing devoid of beauty or intellect or grace. And that from which the ray had glinted aside was her husband—Man.