He understood; at least, he desisted and carried them away.
After that he brought me living water with which to refresh and cleanse myself from those impurities which, though in a different manner, affect Spirits as well as men.
I was ready to descend long before the summons came, and having nothing more to do, and not knowing exactly whither to go, I sat down and began to question my companion.
But I found he was dumb, for on my third question he opened his mouth and showed the ghastly cavity.
I recognised the spirit of Plucritus well in this, for he was scarcely likely to have left me alone with a servant who could disclose the slightest information, even untruthfully.
Finding therefore nothing of further interest within the room I passed out into the corridor and made my way to the central gallery.
It ran along the walls above the large hall and I walked through it slowly, more intent on my own thoughts than the surroundings.
You have felt depression and can understand the feeling that was mine. It seemed as if the whole great palace hung on me; from ever gloomy piece of armoury some scarcely-breathed sigh escaped; each marble figure looked at me with silence-speaking pain. My thoughts ran ever back to the world I had left; at times I thought of you, and wondered how you fared, being left alone.
But in the midst of this sad reverie I was aroused by hearing a clear and penetrating, yet eerie, mournful sound. Then I laughed. ’Twas but a gong calling to that meal of which by this time I was much in need.
I retraced my steps toward the staircase, and as I descended I became aware of the simplicity of the garment which I wore; but being a Spirit I had, or rather had had, the power to change it to whatever form or kind I chose. But now that power had left me. I remembered with some haste that scene in the bedchamber, in which the wretched menial had offered me such sumptuous attire. Impatiently, then, I had rejected all his offers, whether from preoccupation or some other cause, it would be hard to say. In a marvellously short time, in other places, I could have transformed the simplicity of plainness into that of beauty, but now I must either go back for borrowed garments or appear just as I was. With that independence which has ever been part of my nature I chose the latter course, and passed down into the hall. There I found two slaves waiting for me.