played in the distance on glass bells, they commenced a fantastic dance of the wildest yet most graceful character. Every shade of opaline colour fell upon their swaying figures from some invisible agency as they tripped and whirled,--and each time they waved their wands, ribbons and flags of fire were unrolled and tossed high in air where they gyrated for a long time like moving hieroglyphs. The scene was now so startling, so fairy-like and wonderful, that we were well-nigh struck speechless with astonishment,--too fascinated and absorbed even to applaud, we had no conception how time went, or how rapidly the night descended,--till all at once without the least warning, an appalling crash of thunder burst immediately above our heads, and a jagged fork of lightning tore the luminous fire-balloon to shreds. Two or three women began to scream,--whereupon Lucio advanced from the throng of spectators and stood in full view of all, holding up his hand. "Stage thunder, I assure you!" he said playfully, in a clear somewhat scornful voice--"It comes and goes at my bidding. Quite a part of the game, believe me!--these sort of things are only toys for children. Again--again, ye petty elements!" he cried, laughing, and lifting his handsome face and flashing eyes to the dark heavens--"Roar your best and loudest!--roar, I say!" Such a terrific boom and clatter answered him as baffled all description,--it was as if a mountain of rock had fallen into ruins,--but having been assured that the deafening noise was 'stage thunder' merely, the spectators were no longer alarmed, and many of them expressed their opinion that it was 'wonderfully well done.' After this, there gradually appeared against the sky a broad blaze of red light like the reflection of some great prairie fire,--it streamed apparently upward from the ground, bathing us all where we stood, in its blood-like glow. The white-robed dancing-girls waltzed on and on, their arms entwined, their lovely faces irradiated by the lurid flame, while above them now flew creatures with black wings, bats and owls, and great night-moths, that flapped and fluttered about for all the world as if they were truly alive and not mere 'stage properties.' Another flash of lightning,--and one more booming thud of thunder,----and lo!--the undisturbed and fragrant night was about us, clear, dewy and calm,--the young moon smiled pensively in a cloudless heaven,--all the dancing-girls had vanished,--the crimson glow had changed to a pure silvery radiance, and an array of pretty pages in eighteenth century costumes of pale pink and blue, stood before us with lighted flaming torches, making a long triumphal avenue, down which Lucio invited us to pass. "On, on fair ladies and gallant gentlemen!" he cried--"This extemporized path of light leads,--not to Heaven--no! that were far too dull an ending!--but to supper! On!--follow your leader!"