"Perhaps five or ten million years. The entire solar system is gradually
losing its internal heat, and must inevitably die of sheer inanition.
The time is coming when the sun will drift through space, a black star
in the midst of dead worlds. Perhaps the system will fall together,
perhaps it will run against a star. In either case there would probably
be a 'new heaven and a new earth.'"

"Born like a phoenix from the ashes of the old," said I, feeling the
justice of the well-worn simile.

"I daresay the process goes on to all eternity."

"Like enough."

The sublime idea, with its prospect of the infinite, held us for a time
in silence. At length my thoughts reverted to the original question
which had been forgotten.

"Now, whether should I go to Mars or Venus?" I enquired, fixing my eyes
on these planets and trying to estimate their relative distances from
the earth.

Gazen made a mental computation, and replied with decision,

"Venus."

"All right," I responded. "Venus let it be."