“There the hills are diamonds, the rivers gold, the leaves of rose hue and fragrance. The great plains are of silver sheen.
“There merely human eyes would be blinded by the splendor. In the vast, jeweled cities there are the homes of men, the prosperity, excitement, learning, love and enjoyments of Earth. There are real people with noble hearts, perfect souls, intellects of powerful capacity, not baby bird men! There are huge and beautiful beasts, which are harnessed for men’s pleasure! The mighty and magnificent race are not of vegetable growth, who need this one spirit to save them!
“The sun is Jupiter! When it is so near that you can go back, it will be spring—time for Regan to wake. The sun is Jupiter! This star is lost among its satellites!”
Like bewitching music fell his words.
“Destiny is foreordained. The spirit whom I love will go. My measureless love for her is part of that ruling; her love for me must follow as fate!”
“Then you love this spirit? If so, I am sorry that you have sought her thirty-three years. You know how long have been these drear winter years for me, while Regan sleeps in the snow outside the wall!”
There was a shuddering cry; from the air or clouds it seemed. It was like a laugh, a wail, some moan of a lost soul. It frightened Rondah.
She caught the momentary flash of hideous wrath on the man’s face, but it was so quickly gone that she was not certain she saw it.
“Will you accept your mission, Rondah?”
“I?”