a forest. The rood-screen was open, or broken down, I could not
tell which. The choir was bare, like a clearing in the woods, and
filled with blazing light.

On the high steps, with his back to the altar, stood Man, his face
gleaming with pride.

"I am the Lord!" he cried. "There is none above me! No law, no God!
Man is power. Man is the highest of all!"

A tremor of wonder and dismay, of excitement and division, shivered
through the crowd. Some covered their faces. Others stretched
out their hands. Others shook their fists in the air. A tumult of
voices broke from the multitude--voices of exultation, and anger,
and horror, and strife.

The floor of the cathedral was moved and lifted by a mysterious
ground-swell. The pillars trembled and wavered. The candles flared
and went out. The crowd, stricken dumb with a panic fear, rushed
to the doors, burst open the main entrance, and struggling in furious
silence poured out of the building. I was swept along with them,
striving to keep on my feet.

One thought possessed me. I must get to my wife and child, save
them, bring them out of this accursed city.

As I hurried across the square I looked up at the cathedral spire.
It was swaying and rocking in the air like the mast of a ship
at sea. The lace-work fell from it in blocks of stone. The people
rushed screaming through the rain of death. Many were struck down,