Than your visions of Paradise,-
For the dreams that your dreamers dream
We behold them with open eyes."

With open eyes! Later I asked the nature of the strange bond that
had called her to my side.

"I do not understand that fully myself," she said - "That is part
of the knowledge we must wait for. But you have the eyes that
see, and that is a tie nothing can break. I had waited long in
the House of Beauty for you. I guided you there. But between you
and me there is also love."

I stretched an eager hand but she repelled it gently, drawing
back a little. "Not love of each other though we are friends and
in the future may be infinitely more. But - have you ever seen a
drawing of Blake's - a young man stretching his arms to a white
swan which flies from him on wings he cannot stay? That is the
story of both our lives. We long to be joined in this life, here
and now, to an unspeakable beauty and power whose true believers
we are because we have seen and known. There is no love so
binding as the same purpose. Perhaps that is the only true love.
And so we shall never be apart though we may never in this world
be together again in what is called companionship."

"We shall meet," I said confidently. She smiled and was silent.

"Do we follow a will-o'-the wisp in parting? Do we give up the
substance for the shadow? Shall I stay?"