“Oh, ever so far!” she answered. “I was carried off by people I couldn’t see--but they were kind and careful, and it was quite easy going. And then I came to a garden--oh!--such an exquisite place, full of the loveliest flowers--somebody said it was mine! I wish it were!” “You were dreaming,” he said, impatiently. “There’s nothing in dreams! The chief point to me is that you have not suffered any pain. You have nothing to complain of?” She thought a minute, trying to recall her sensations. “No,” she answered, truthfully, “nothing.” “Good! Then I can proceed without fear,” he said. “Enough for to-night--we will go.” Her eyes were fixed on the revolving Wheel. “It goes slowly because the sunshine has gone, I suppose?” she asked. “And all the light it produces now is from the interior stores it has gathered up in the day?” He was surprised at the quickness of her perception. “Yes--that is so,” he said. “Then it never stops absolutely dead?” “Never.” She smiled. “Wonderful Dimitrius! You have built up a little mechanical universe of your own and you are the god of it! You must be very pleased with yourself!” “I am equally pleased with _you_,” he said. “You surpass all my expectations.” “Thanks so much!” and she curtsied to him playfully. “May I say good-night? Will not your mother wonder where we are?” “My mother is too sensible a woman to question my movements,” he replied. “Come! You are sure you feel strong and well?” “Quite sure!” she said, then paused, surprised at the intense way he looked at her. “Have you ever heard these lines?” he asked, suddenly: “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright! Her beauty hangs upon the cheek of night, Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear-- Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” Diana smiled happily. “Of course! Shakespeare’s utterance! Who else has ever written or could write such lines?” “I’m glad you know them!” he said, musingly. “They occurred to me just now--when----” He broke off abruptly. “Come!” he repeated. “We shall not see this place again for a couple of months--perhaps longer. And--the sooner we get away the better!” “Why?” asked Diana, surprised. “Why?” and a curious half-frowning expression darkened his brows. “You must wait to know why! You will not have to wait long!” He signed to her to keep close behind him; and together they moved like phantom figures through the rosy mist that enveloped them, till, at the touch of his wizard hand, the door swung upwards to give them egress and descended again noiselessly as they passed out. The corridor, previously dark, was now dimly lit, but it was more a matter of groping than seeing, and Diana was glad when they reached the pleasantly warm and well-illumined hall of the house. There he turned and faced her. “Now, not a word!” he said, with imperative sharpness. “Not a word of what you have seen, or--dreamed--to my mother! Say good-night to her, and go!”