“It has been built by humanity,” said Regan.
The ever-surging sea was silent. The roar of the many volcanoes was not heard.
They soon found that the air and lights in the underground realm existed independently of any outside atmosphere or illumination. At intervals hung above them meteors of large size, which whitely blazed.
For a long distance their uninterrupted progress was through great garnet halls. Then they came into a vast cavern of silver. Silver was everywhere, either frosted or shining. Among supporting columns and through branching tunnels they searched, until they came to a small, round door.
“The gate to Heaven!” whispered Regan, and now he paused and dared not enter upon the field before him.
Here Father Renaudin was brave. Notwithstanding his revelations, the sudden sight of these things made him believe that Gregg Dempster had prepared for them this miracle of brilliance and left it for their delight.
They crept through the door and stood gazing in bewilderment, unable, among the reflections of light, to see where to go. For far before them swept into distance a moving, whispering sea, which was of no water ever known before. It was a tossing sheet of emerald and fire; glittering gems sweeping in liquid flames rolled in long smooth swells to fall in music at their feet.
The shore around was like frost of winter. Many blazing meteors whitened all with brilliance. A palace built by hands stood beside the waters. It had doors made of the silver trees which grew outside on the island. When Regan saw this he began to recover his presence of mind, for never before on the star had he been so utterly confounded.
Then came toward them a giant man. His robes were of jewel-covered fabric. He was most noble, and looked at them with gentlest eyes from a strong, calm face. He held out his hand. As they approached, he said:
“For this hour the star has whirled. This is the measure of a cycle. Fear no further!”