Elisaveta explained:

"The hour of dinner is strictly kept in our house."

"I'll have a cart ready for you."

The sisters thanked him. But they must start at once. They both
suddenly felt sad and tired. They bade their host good-bye and left
him. The boy in white went before them in the garden and showed them
the way.

No sooner had they again entered the underground passage than they saw
a soft couch, and a fatigue so poignant suddenly overcame them that
they could not advance another step.

"Let's sit down," said Elena.

"Yes," replied Elisaveta, "I too am tired. How strange! What a
weariness!"

The sisters sat down. Elisaveta said quietly:

"The light that falls upon us here from an unknown source is not a
living light, and it is terrifying--but the stern face of the monster,
burning yet not consuming itself, is even more terrifying."

"The lovely sun," said Elena.

"It will become extinguished," said Elisaveta, "extinguished--this
unrighteous luminary, and in the depth of subterranean passages, freed