behind it as of clinking glasses and boisterous laughter, but
before he had time to consider what this might mean, Lysia laid
her hand lightly on a small, protruding knob of crystal, pressed
it, and lo! ... the whole massive structure yawned open suddenly
without any noise, suspending itself as it were in sparkling
festoons of purple stalactites over the voluptuously magnificent
scene disclosed.

At first it was difficult to discern more than a gorgeous maze of
swaying light and color as though a great field of tulips in full
bloom should be seen waving to and fro in the breath of a soft
wind; but gradually this bewildering dazzle of gold and green,
violet and crimson, resolved itself into definite form and
substance; and Theos, standing beside his two companions on the
elevated threshold of the partition through which they had
entered, was able to look down and survey with tolerable composure
the wondrous details of the glittering picture--a picture that
looked like a fairy-fantasy poised in a haze of jewel-like
radiance as of vaporized sapphire.

He saw beneath him a vast circular hall or amphitheatre, roofed in
by a lofty dome of richest malachite, from the centre of which was
suspended a huge globe of fire, that revolved with incredible
swiftness, flinging vivid, blood-red rays on the amber-colored
silken carpets and embroideries that strewed the floor below. The
dome was supported by rows upon rows of tall, tapering crystal
columns, clear as translucent water and green as the grass in
spring, . . and between and beyond these columns on the left-hand
side there were large, oval-shaped casements set wide open to the
night, through which the gleam of a broad lake laden with water-