scene, could quite realize what had happened, the great globe in
the dome was suddenly extinguished, ... a firm hand closed
imperiously on his own, and he was drawn along swiftly, he knew
not whither!

A slight tremor shook him as he discovered that Sah-luma was no
longer by his side ... the friend whom he so ardently desired to
protect had gone,--and he could not tell where. He glanced about
him,--in the semi-obscurity he was able to discern the sheen of
the lake with its white burden of water-lilies, and the branchy
outlines of the moonlit garden, ... and ... yes! it was Lysia
whose grasp lay so warmly on his arm, ... Lysia whose lovely,
tempting face was so perilously near his own,--Lysia whose smile
colored the soft gloom with such alluring lustre! ... His heart
beat,--his blood burned,--he strove in vain to imagine what fate
was now in store for him. He was conscious of the beauty of the
night that spread its star-embroidered splendors about him,--
conscious too of the vital youth and passion that throbbed
amorously in his veins, endowing him with that keenly sweet,
headstrong rapture which is said to come but once in a lifetime,
and which in the very excess of its fond folly is too often apt to
bring sorrow and endless remorse in its train. One moment more and
he found himself in an exquisitely adorned pavilion of painted
silk, faintly lit by one lamp of tenderest rose lustre, and
carpeted with gold-spangled tissue. It was surrounded by a thicket
of orange trees in full bloom, and the fragrance of the waxen-
white flowers clung heavily to the air, breathing forth delicate
suggestions of languor and sleep. The measured rush of the near
waterfall alone disturbed the deep silence, with now and then the
subdued and plaintive trill of a nightingale soothing itself to