is shadow; that we ourselves are shadows and that the realities who cast
them live in a different home which is lit by some spirit sun that never
sets."

The Prince nodded his head and again was silent for a while. Then he
took his beautiful alabaster cup, and pouring wine into it, he drank a
little and passed the cup to me.

"Drink also, Ana," he said, "and pledge me as I pledge you, in token
that by decree of the Creator who made the hearts of men, henceforward
our two hearts are as the same heart through good and ill, through
triumph and defeat, till death takes one of us. Henceforward, Ana,
unless you show yourself unworthy, I hide no thought from you."

Flushing with joy I took the cup, saying:

"I add to your words, O Prince. We are one, not for this life alone but
for all the lives to be. Death, O Prince, is, I think, but a single step
in the pylon stair which leads at last to that dizzy height whence we
see the face of God and hear his voice tell us what and why we are."

Then I pledged him, and drank, bowing, and he bowed back to me.

"What shall we do with the cup, Ana, the sacred cup that has held this
rich heart-wine? Shall I keep it? No, it no longer belongs to me. Shall
I give it to you? No, it can never be yours alone. See, we will break
the priceless thing."

Seizing it by its stem with all his strength he struck the cup upon the
table. Then what seemed to be to me a marvel happened, for instead of