through a myriad worlds, a myriad phases, till they learn to shape their destinies for Heaven! And I, with them live on, in many shapes, in many ways!--when they return to God cleansed and perfect, so shall I return!--but not till then!" He paused again,--and I heard a faint sighing sound everywhere as of wailing voices, and the name "Ahrimanes!" was breathed suddenly upon the silence. I started up listening, every nerve strained----Ahrimanes?--or Rimânez? I gazed fearfully at him, ... always beautiful, his countenance was now sublime, ... and his eyes shone with a lustrous flame. "You thought me friend!" he said--"You should have known me Foe! For everyone who flatters a man for his virtues, or humours him in his vices is that man's worst enemy, whether demon or angel! But you judged me a fitting comrade,--hence I was bound to serve you,--I and my followers with me. You had no perception to realize this,--you, supreme scorner of the Supernatural! Little did you think of the terrifying agencies that worked the wonders of your betrothal feast at Willowsmere! Little did you dream that fiends prepared the costly banquet and poured out the luscious wine!" At this, a smothered groan of horror escaped me,--I looked wildly round me, longing to find some deep grave of oblivious rest wherein to fall. "Aye!" he continued--"The festival was fitted to the time of the world to-day!--Society, gorging itself blind and senseless, and attended by a retinue from Hell! My servants looked like men!--for truly there is little difference 'twixt man and devil! 'Twas a brave gathering!--England has never seen so strange a one in all her annals!" The sighing, wailing cries increased in loudness,--my limbs shook under me, and all power of thought was paralysed in my brain. He bent his piercing looks upon me with a new expression of infinite wonder, pity and disdain.