The desolation about him was the veritable home of black despair. Of what use was it to cry out to the deadly calm of the rarefied air, amidst the crushing, strangling and appalling stillness?
Coming nearer, Yermah looked down into the white heat of the pink-throated cavern.
“O Thou Sacred Fire! Thy kiss was welcome to her sweet lips. Feast Thou on mine!”
With the fervor of an enthusiast he rushed forward to fling himself headlong into the yawning chasm, but a dazzling effulgence obscured the way, and a voice from the land of shadows said:
“Yermah, son of light, no further sacrifice is required of thee!”
It was the gentle, unseen hand of Akaza which halted the action * * * then a Higher Power suffered Yermah’s lifeless body to be at rest.
“Kerœcia, beloved, receive thy twin spirit!” he cried, in passing.
In the transcendent radiance of the Presence enveloping all, the twain appeared—transfigured and glorified.
Being thus reunited, Kerœcia realized for the first time that she was out of the body.