"We must consider their relative distances from the earth. By the way, I don't think you have seen my new electrical orrery."
"An electrical orrery," I exclaimed. "Surely that is something new!"
"So far as I am aware; but you never know in these days. There is nothing new under the sun, or even above it."
So saying, he opened a small door in the side of the observatory, and, ushering me into a very dark apartment, closed it behind us.
"Follow me, there is no danger," said he, taking me by the arm, and guiding me for several paces into the darkness.
At length we halted, and I looked all around me, but was unable to perceive a single object.
"Where are we?" I enquired; "in the realms of Chaos and Old Night?"
"You are now in the centre of the Universe," replied Gazen; "or, to speak more correctly, at a point in space overlooking the solar system."
"Well, I can't see it," said I. "Have you got such a thing as a match about you?"
"Let there be light!" responded Gazen in a reverent manner, and instantly a soft, weird radiance was over all. The contrast of that sudden illumination with the preceding darkness was electrical in more senses than one, and I could not repress a cry of genuine admiration.