Rome was my birthplace, and I was the only child of persons of distinction. From my earliest youth I revolted against the gross licentiousness and debauchery, not only of the masses, but of those in highest places, whose criminally bestial orgies were beyond description, vile and demoralizing. My parents, too, shrank in horror and disgust from a condition of society which words cannot express. So did others, but those who dare oppose themselves against the example of the conscienceless Emperor Nero, and his equally conscienceless courtiers, did so at the peril of life and estate. Through his intolerable tyranny I, with other youths of the best blood of Rome, were driven to plot rebellion against his misrule, and when our hopes of success were at the highest, a treacherous youth betrayed us and we were arrested and sentenced to death in the arena. My beloved father was shorn of his rank and possessions, and with my gentle mother, was driven into exile, which they did not long survive. But Nero, the insane, brutal tyrant, the ferocious, drunken beast, and the curse of his unhappy time; Nero, who made human agony his pastime, still lived to gleefully laugh while naked, empty handed victims were cast into the arena to be torn limb from limb by creatures no more savage, no more relentless than the insensate wretch who gloated over the horrible scene. Earth has not harbored a more ignoble mortal than he who styled himself, and indeed regarded himself, as the "Divine Cæsar."
When the hour of my agony arrived, I, with many others, one a fair girl scarcely beyond childhood, were driven to our doom. Some, through terror, swooned into merciful oblivion, others shrieked wildly and pitifully, frantically strove to escape from the great beasts who tore them into fragments, and still others instinctively fought for life, or coweringly shrank from their hideous fate. But not I, not I. As an enormous lion rushed like an avalanche from the opened door of his cage, the young girl clung to me for protection. One glance at her wide open eyes and terror stricken, lovely face, round which her golden hair fell in curling profusion, inspired me with courage born of pity and despair. Putting her behind me, I strode toward the lion, my burning, unwavering gaze meeting the glowing eyes of the famished and enraged beast, and for a moment the crouching creature hesitated, and Nero shouted and clapped his jewelled hands. The next instant the lion launched himself against my naked form and in another moment I was freed and beyond the reach of the cruelest of all creatures—the human animal.
After the lapse of half a thousand of your years, at my own desire, and for a purpose, the Angels of the Visitation found me a birthplace on the glorious planet Jupiter. Your astronomers would question this statement. They do not take into account the fact that necessarily they possess but a limited knowledge of the constitution and conditions of the Planets of our Solar System, or of the Beings who may inhabit them, and they do not recognize the more important fact that Spirit, the Life Principle, is indestructible, and that it possesses the ability of adjusting itself to other environments than those of Earth. From Jupiter's Spirit Realms I, and these my comrades have come to aid in this attempt to bring Spiritual enlightenment to the sorrowful children of Ento. Our Band of nine Spirits will endeavor to come into harmonious relations with Omanos Fûnha̤. To other Bands of Spirits from other Planetary Spheres have been assigned special duties. Upon De L'Ester and his Band will rest the responsibility of controlling and directing you. As far as possible our plans have been perfected, and the supreme moment having arrived, may the Divine, Intelligent, All Potent One direct and aid us in our endeavor to fulfill the Law of Love.
De L'Ester—Gentola̤, now that you have grown tranquil, we will enter the apartment of the passing Valloa̤. Be attentive while I inform you as to who some of the assembled personages are, then you will describe the surroundings of this pitiful scene. Later, your deeper submergence will oblige me to continue a narration of what may occur. Do you understand?
Gentola—I do, and shall try to meet your wishes. I find myself standing at the foot of Valloa̤'s couch, which is near the centre of the very spacious apartment, whose walls and ceiling are marvels of beauty. Upon their ivory white surfaces are sprays of exquisite blossoms so true to nature that it seems as though one might gather them from their delicate foliage. Rich tapestries of palest blue, combined with snowy laces, drape the lofty windows, and fluted panels of the same tapestry separate the flower designs on walls and ceiling, the effect being very refined and beautiful. On opposing sides of the apartment great mirrors are let into the walls, their frames and the woodwork of doors and windows being in white and gold and the floor is such an exquisitely dainty mosaic that it seems a profanation to step on it. There are some very beautiful divans and chairs and a large, handsome table which, with the exception of the lovely couch on which Valloa̤ lies, completes the furnishing of the apartment.
Through a window from which the drapery is drawn aside the light falls upon a young girl whose angelically lovely face is framed in a mass of curling, golden hair. It is the face of the young girl you once showed me in a picture, but it is more mature, more expressive, more spirituelle, than the pictured face. The soft, fleecy, white couch clothing outlines a tall, slender form, somewhat emaciated, but modelled most beautifully, and as she lifts her hands to push away from her low, wide forehead her shining hair, I see that they are as white as lilies and exceedingly shapely. On one side of the couch sits Omanos Fûnha̤, a majestic, very handsome, dark skinned man of about middle age. On the other side of the couch kneels Dano, his mournful gaze fixed upon the face of the dying girl, whose expression is serene but very pathetic. In Dano's clasp is her left hand, which he holds against his tremulous lips. With her right hand she fondly but feebly caresses her father's stately head, bowed near her own, and her large, beautiful azure hued eyes look into his despairing face, then turn toward the sorrowful face of her affianced, and she murmurs low, broken words of endearment for both. Dano's father, Basto Andûlēsa̤, who, with bowed head and folded arms, stands near the head of the couch, is a picture of woe. By Dano's side stands his mother, a very tall, olive skinned, strikingly handsome woman, whom her son closely resembles. On her face is an expression of great tenderness, as she whispers fondly pitiful words to the dying girl, who gently touches her face and smiles up at her. Suddenly, with a quivering moan and a look of terror in her dark eyes, she draws away, but quickly recovers herself, and again she stoops to murmur loving words to Valloa̤ and to Dano, upon whose dark, flowing hair her tears fall like rain. Near Omanos Fûnha̤ stands the Most High Priest Ozynas Dûlsa̤, and what a singularly grand looking man he is. He is taller than any Entoan I have seen; taller even than Omanos Fûnha̤ whom I think he resembles. As he stands erect, silent and motionless, he looks like a draped bronze statue. There is a peculiar expression on his quiet face, a sort of introspective expression which suggests the thought that he is questioning himself as to the mystery of death, whose dread shadow is stealing over the beautiful face of Valloa̤.
Of the host of Spirit men and women thronging this apartment, the entire residence and the aura inclosed space about it, what can I, what shall I say? To my unfolded vision the walls oppose no barrier, and with inexpressible awe and wonder I gaze upon these luminous ones, whose faces and forms possess a beauty and majesty indescribable. I can think of no other word than Godlike that will convey my idea of their appearance, but I—but language fails me—I—can say—no—more.
De L'Ester—Before narrating what occurred after Gentola̤ ceased speaking I will say that the Organization controlling this Mission consists of seven Bands of advanced Spirits of various Planetary Spirit Spheres, and that our Mission is not an isolated one. On all Planets inhabited by Spiritualized humans, Spirit Missions for the accomplishment of various purposes, constantly are being carried forward. On Earth, at this time, more than one Mission is in progress. Some will elevate humanity; others, under control of Spirits not of bad intentions, but of a low plane of evolvement, hence ignorant as to results, will debase and retard progress. I make mention of this matter so that if perchance some may read this story of our Mission they will understand that it is but one of many.
Having become submerged to a degree that rendered her incapable of further speech, and the moment of Valloa̤'s departure being close at hand, it became imperative that our Instrument should be illumined to her highest capacity, so that she might deliver our message to Omanos Fûnha̤, to Dano, to the Most High Priest, and to others surrounding the passing girl.