"No. Forgive me! I'm not quite myself. Perhaps it is Maskull's.
blood in my veins.... Now let us bid him adieu. Let us pray that he
will do only honourable deeds, wherever he may be."

"I'll set Maskull on his way," said Panawe.

"There's no need," replied Maskull. "The way is plain."

"But talking shortens the road."

Maskull turned to go.

Joiwind pulled him around toward her softly. "You won't think badly
of other women on my account?"

"You are a blessed spirit," answered he.

She trod quietly to the inner extremity of the cave and stood there
thinking. Panawe and Maskull emerged into the open air.
Halfway down the cliff face a little spring was encountered. Its
water was colourless, transparent, but gaseous. As soon as Maskull
had satisfied his thirst he felt himself different. His surroundings
were so real to him in their vividness and colour, so unreal in their
phantom-like mystery, that he scrambled downhill like one in a
winter's dream.

When they reached the plain he saw in front of them an interminable
forest of tall trees, the shapes of which were extraordinarily
foreign looking. The leaves were crystalline and, looking upward, it
was as if he were gazing through a roof of glass. The moment they