not he be
far more sure? His life had been more fruitful than theirs.
He had been a leader, a founder of new enterprises, a pillar of
Church and State, a prince of the House of Israel. Ten talents
had been
given him, and he had made them twenty. His reward would be
proportionate.
He was glad that his companions were going to find fit dwellings
prepared for them; but he thought also with a certain pleasure of

the surprise that some of them would feel when they saw
his appointed mansion.

So they came to the summit of the moorland and looked over into
the world beyond. It was a vast, green plain, softly rounded
like
a shallow vase, and circled with hills of amethyst. A broad,
shining river flowed through it, and many silver threads of water

were woven across the green; and there were borders of tall trees

on the banks of the river, and orchards full of roses abloom
along
the little streams, and in the midst of all stood the city,
white and wonderful and radiant.

When the travelers saw it they were filled with awe and joy.
They passed over the little streams and among the orchards
quickly and silently, as if they feared to speak lest the city
should vanish.