unuttered premonition of peril in the very air--peril for Sah-
luma, always for Sah-luma, never for himself, ... Self seemed dead
and entombed forever! Involuntarily lifting his eyes to the great
green dome where the globe of fire twirled rapidly like a rolling
star, he saw some words written round it in golden letters, they
were large and distinct, and ran thus:

"Live in the Now, but question not the Afterwards!"

A wise axiom! ... yet almost a platitude, for did not every one
occupy themselves exclusively with the Now, regardless of future
consequences? Of course! Who but sages--or fools--would stop to
question the Afterwards!

Just then Lysia ascended her black crystal throne in all her
statuesque majesty, and sinking indolently amid its sable
cushions, where she shone in her wonderful whiteness like a
glistening pearl set in ebony, she signed to her guests to resume
their places at table. She was instantly obeyed. Sah-luma took
what was evidently his accustomed post at her right hand, while
Theos found a vacant corner on her left, next to the picturesque,
lounging figure of the young man Nir jahs, who looked up at him
with a half smile as he seated himself, and courteously made more
room for him among the tumbled emerald silk diapers of the
luxurious divan, they now shared together. Nir jahs was by no
means sober, but he had recovered a little of his self-possession
since Lysia's sleepy eyes had darted such cold contempt upon him,
and he seemed for the present to be on his guard against giving
any further possible cause of offence.