softening the daintily draped outlines of that exquisite group of
human blossoms, till they looked like the dimly imagined shapes of
Nereids floating on the glistening width of the sea.

And now the extreme end of the vast hall began to waver to and fro
as though shaken at its foundation by subterranean forces,--a
flaring shaft of flame struck through it like the sweeping blade
of a Titan's sword,--and presently with a thunderous noise the
whole wall split asunder, and recoiling backwards on either side,
disclosed a garden, golden with the sleepy glory of the late moon,
and peacefully fair in all the dreamy attractiveness of drooping
foliage, soft turf, and star-sprinkled, violet sky. In full view,
and lit up by the reflected radiance flung out from the dome, a
rushing waterfall made sonorous surgy music of its own as it
tumbled headlong into a rocky recess overgrown with lotus-lilies
and plumy fern,--here and there, small, white and gold tents or
pavilions glimmered invitingly through the shadows cast by the
great magnolia trees, from whose lovely half-shut buds balmy odors
crept deliciously through the warm air. The sound of sweet pipes
and faintly tinkling cymbals echoed from distant shady nooks, as
though elfin shepherds were guarding their fairy flocks in some
hidden corner of this ambrosial pasturage, and ever by degrees the
light grew warmer and more mellow in tint, till it resembled the
deep hue of an autumn, yellow sunset, flecked through with emerald
haze.

Another clash of cymbals! ... this time stormily persistent and
convincing! ... another! ... yet another! ... and then, a chime of
bells,--a steady ringing, persuasive chime, such as brings tears
to the eyes of many a wanderer, who, hearing a similar sound when