that passage?"

Maskull answered slowly and thoughtfully. "When I was in Matterplay,
I saw heavy clouds discharge themselves and change to coloured,
living animals. In the same way, my black, chaotic pangs just now
seemed to consolidate themselves and spring together as a new sort of
joy. The joy would not have been possible without the preliminary
nightmare. It is not accidental; Nature intends it so. The truth
has just flashed through my brain.... You men of Lichstorm don't go
far enough. You stop at the pangs, Without realising that they are
birth pangs."

"If this is true, you are a great pioneer," muttered Haunte.

"How does this sensation differ from common love?" interrogated
Corpang.

"This was all that love is, multiplied by wildness."

Corpang fingered his chin awhile. "The Lichstorm men, however, will
never reach this stage, for they are too masculine."

Haunte turned pale. "Why should we alone suffer?"

"Nature is freakish and cruel, and doesn't act according to
justice.... Follow us, Haunte, and escape from it all."

"I'll see," muttered Haunte. "Perhaps I will."

"Have we far to go, to Sullenbode?" inquired Maskull.