de l'ester—to our faithful comrade we tender our greetings, and an apology for our early appearance. you will arrange quickly for our departure, for the family have returned, and we desire to visit them ere day dawn on ento. madame, you have not locked the rear door of the room, and some one might disturb you, which would not be well for you. now you are comfortably seated, and will endeavor to tranquillize your disturbed equilibrium. we feared that our somewhat abrupt entrée might startle you. george, i think that madame may find herself sufficiently sustained, through simply resting on your extended arm. you are rapidly growing stronger, madame, and accustomed, too, to the peculiar conditions of your unusual phase of mediumship, and we anticipate that soon you will overcome the timidity you at times experience.
now you are quieted, and we at once may begin our journey. upward now, and outward. you are at ease, madame? that is well.
yonder is the planet venus, regal, beautiful queen of the earth-night. and in the northwest is the grand constellation known to you as the great dipper—whose family of worlds, like ento, and earth, pursue their law compelling ways. four of them are peopled with humans, far in advance of those of either earth or ento. in every direction are myriads of worlds, inhab
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ited by human beings in various stages of evolvement. throughout limitless space are suns and systems of worlds, varying in bulk, and of diverse conditions, yet through intelligently directed energy, each shining wonder traverses pathless space, in conformity with unvarying law. in striving to conceive an idea of the universe, one is overwhelmed by its boundless immensity. only infinite intelligence can compass a thought so far beyond the limit of the finite mind.
we near the residence, and now will descend. yes, near the fountain, george. madame, you perceive that there are lights in portions of the house. with the entoans it is a universal custom to keep lights burning during the night. later on, you will learn their reason for doing this. there are no developed clairvoyants in this family; of that we have assured ourselves. in what manner? well, previous to coming for you we investigated their condition. we now will enter the home, so that you, madame, may obtain a general view of the apartments and their occupants, on the second floor.
the front room to the left, george, and you, madame, will please describe whatever may attract your attention.
medium—this is a large, almost square room, elegantly, yet rather scantily furnished; that is, it is not overfurnished. the ceiling is lofty, of the tint of old ivory, and decorated in a delicate design of wreaths and sprays of foliage and flowers. the walls also are ivory tinted, but of a deeper shade than the ceiling, and are decorated in designs harmonizing with those of the ceiling. on the highly polished floor, which is of some light, rose colored wood, are fine oriental looking rugs, and there is a very handsome divan, and some richly upholstered chairs, and a large, beautifully carved wood table, and a massive dressing bureau, which is built into
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the wall, and on it are many pretty toilet articles, some of which have a very familiar appearance. near the one lofty, wide, front window, in an ornamental tub, is a large growing plant, which looks like some species of palm, but is unlike any palm i know of. it bears an enormous truss of lovely scarlet flowers, which give out a fragrance resembling that of the hyacinth. i am pleased that it is to be included in the illustrations of ento's flora.
ruvacca̤ plimos
de l'ester—it is not related to the palm family. observe carefully the forms of both calyx and flower, and you will consider its ento name, ruvacca̤ plimos, quite appropriate. you may name it trumpet flower. now, madame, you will proceed.
medium—how shall i describe the sleeping occupant of this beautiful couch? i am at a loss for words that might do justice to this revelation of ento female loveliness. allow me to be silent, de l'ester, while you, who are more competent than am i, shall attempt the impossible.
de l'ester—as you will, madame, though i confess to an unwillingness, to attempt through words to convey an idea of the appearance of this extremely beautiful woman. the invasion of the privacy of her apartment, to you, seems an impertinence. but that you may learn many things pertaining to the entoans, we must use means at our command, so i think we may be pardoned for this intrusion.
the woman sleeping upon this shell shaped couch is young, and indeed "tall, and divinely fair." below a wide, shapely forehead, shaded by flossy curls, long, silken lashes fringe white eyelids concealing large, luminous blue eyes. a profusion of golden brown hair lies in curling, waving masses, over snowy pillow, and bare, blue
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veined, white throat. her complexion is as fair and rosy as pink rose petals, for this is not one of ento's dark skinned beauties, but one of a northland race. in her sleep she dreams and smiles, her slightly parted lips revealing a hint of two rows of pearls, in keeping with this shell shaped couch, so closely inlaid with pearl that one can imagine it the former abode of some great ocean creature and the white fleecy covering of its present occupant the foam of storm tossed waters.
fair dreamer, may you long experience joyous awakenings to happy days and happier years!
we now will pass to the apartment across the hallway.
the dimensions of this chamber are the same as those of the one we have but now left, and the decorations and furnishing is much the same, the noticeable exception being this low, broad couch, of some fine wood, artistically inlaid with a variety of colored woods in a floral design. its corners are held by heavy, ornamental silver clasps, which add much to its sumptuous beauty. lying on it in a profound sleep, is a man of apparently middle age, and though quite dark skinned, he is extremely handsome. he is very tall, and finely formed, as are all of his race, and in his quiet face one reads dignity of character, and gentleness. through his black, silken, curling beard one perceives that he has finely curved lips, and that his black, abundant curling hair graces an admirably statuesque head, neck and shoulders. yes, all entoans have abundant hair. their head covering, which seldom is worn, is not of a kind to destroy the growth of their hair.
this man is a fine specimen of a race known as the hovana̤, and doubtless were he awake, and clear-seeing, he would find himself greatly surprised, if not alarmed, on perceiving a group of strange appearing persons gaz
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ing upon him so intently. adieu, monsieur, and should we again meet, may it be under more favorable conditions for a mutual acquaintance.
a bath and dressing room adjoins this apartment, which now we will examine.
quite a large, and well appointed room, with floor of very beautiful marble, its whiteness relieved by veinings of gray and pale rose color. from the floor to half the height of the room the walls are of silver richly wrought in festoons of vines and flowers of various kinds, all suggesting aquatic growths. thence, to the slightly curved ceiling, the walls are of highly polished wood, of a deep rose color. the ceiling, too, is of wood, of a paler shade of rose, and is carved in exquisite floral designs. the bath is of snowy marble, lined with burnished silver, which curves over, forming a broad rim. the outer surface of the bath is chiselled into a composition of aquatic plants and grasses, which are very artistic and effective.
here is a large onyx dressing table, on which are various toilet accessories of admirable designs and workmanship. truly, "necessity is the mother of invention," and the necessities of humans, everywhere, lead to very similar results, hence these familiar looking objects.
i recall that during my earth life i imagined that if any of the planets might be the abodes of intelligent life forms owing to varying conditions, necessarily such forms, and their requirements, must altogether differ from those of earth, and i assure you that one of the greatest, and most pleasing surprises awaiting my renewed acquaintance with the spirit side of life was the realization, that not only was the genus homo of other worlds essentially like myself in appearance, but that their characteristics, pursuits and requirements were very like
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my own, and that the spirits of all planetary spirit worlds recognized their common origin, and universal relationship.
your mental state is similar to what mine was, hence you find it difficult to realize the universal homogeneity of substance, which under like, or similar conditions, must manifest itself, in harmony with intelligent, universal laws. i am aware, that as factors, or potentialities, forces and qualities, known as gravity, attraction, repulsion, density, volume, distance from solar influences, position of planets, etc., are to scientific minds the pivotal points upon which certain results must of necessity turn, and largely they are correct. but while drawing conclusions from real or apparent facts scientific minds seldom consider the one all-powerful factor, the infinite, intelligent energy, the adjuster of causes and effects into a harmonious whole. but really at present we have not time for either scientific or philosophic dissertations, and i must conclude this digression into which your remark has beguiled me by saying that on ento you will find the same humans, with the same requirements, as may be found on numberless planets.
everywhere the man creature evolves along fixed lines, and sooner or later this hairy-headed person requires combs, brushes, mirrors and other appliances with which to enhance his charms or to contribute to his comfort, his well-being or his vanity, consequently here are veritable combs, brushes and mirrors, and here, too, is a familiar looking cleansing preparation. you may doubt it, madame, but i swear it is soap, and a very excellent soap it is. it is delicately scented, too, which may indicate that my lord and his lady are somewhat dainty in their requirements.
you may know that on our planet, in various localities, there are deposits of a saponaceous character. such de
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posits exist not only on earth, but on ento and other planets, which affords another bit of evidence that worlds are akin.
these bath appliances are quite admirable. overhead are faucets with spraying attachments for both hot and cold water, and here, at the foot of the bath, are silver faucets for the same, and from these yawning mouths of silver nondescript heads both cold and hot water pours into this great silver bowl. but we cannot devote more time to this room. certainly, for a country house, one scarcely would expect such luxurious appointments.
this door opens into the sleeping apartments of the wife of the slumbering gentleman. shall we enter it, madame? you are silent. i have observed that curiosity is not your ruling trait. ah, i see. you think that we gentlemen should not intrude upon the privacy of the lady. then, that you may acquire certain information, i suggest that you shall go alone, and in the hallway we will await your return.
medium—well, here i am, and will relate what i have seen and heard. asleep on a couch very like that on which the gentleman lies is a large and very beautiful woman with a most charming expression of countenance. her complexion is rather dark, but much fairer than that of her husband, and her hair is very black and luxuriant, flowing loosely over the pillow and down on to the floor. never have i seen hair so abundant or so beautiful, and she has such lovely arms and hands. on tables and on the side shelves of a magnificent dresser are beautiful toilet articles and the loveliest jewel caskets. of what are the caskets made? dear me, i cannot say, but i should think of gold and silver. one looks like gold filagree set with different colored stones forming flower sprays, and one appears to be of silver closely incrusted with diamonds and
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rubies in a peculiar pattern. another is a rather large shell clasped with some kind of metal hinges, the edge of the upper half set closely with large, lovely pink pearls, which i should think might be worth a fortune. there are several other caskets, but i did not observe them closely.
clothing of beautiful texture and exquisite coloring hangs in closets and other receptacles. there are robes of what i should call grecian style. some are of a plain weave, others are brocaded in admirable designs. some are of silken texture, others are of wool or silk and wool. some are undecorated, but almost all of them are trimmed around the neck, sleeves and hems with borders of very beautiful embroidery of gold, silver or in colored silks, imitating foliage and flowers or in arabesque designs, some of them set thickly with small jewels of several kinds. they are the most beautiful garments i ever have seen.
close by the lady's couch is a smaller one, on which lies the dearest, loveliest child. she appears to be about four years old and is very large for that age. i felt inclined to kiss the darling, but feared that i might awaken her, so stood intently looking at her, when suddenly she stirred and opened her eyes in a startled manner, crying "omma̤, omma̤." instantly i retreated behind the window drapery and peered through. the mother arose in haste and knelt beside the child, murmuring as she caressed her, "omma̤ estro, omma̤ estro, gentolēna̤. emenola̤ grandû, emenissema grandû." that is all i can remember of what she said, but soon the child fell asleep, the mother stole softly to her couch and i came away. i hope, monsieur, that i have satisfied your curiosity.
de l'ester—madame, your complaisance overwhelms me. my curiosity. truly i do not find myself equal to an expression of my appreciation of your effort on my
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behalf, and can only bow my acknowledgment. may i ask if you looked into the apartment adjoining the one you visited? george informs us that in it is a younger and handsomer woman than the one you have described.
medium—i only glanced at a very youthful and handsome girl who was asleep on a couch. although i realize that these persons are unaware of our presence, i cannot avoid an unpleasant consciousness that we are taking advantage of their unconscious state. of course i know that idle curiosity has nothing to do with it, and that you all are doing your utmost to assist in my ento education, for which you have my thanks.
george, how do you know that there is a young and handsome woman in that room? i shall have to report you to inez.
george—while looking through the house i came to her room, merely glancing in as you did. inez has too much confidence in her other self to listen to an ill report of him; then, too, madame but jests.
while looking through this spacious dwelling and into its history, i have learned that it is modelled in a style antedating what we will term ento's modern architecture. this style was in high favor four centuries ago, ento time and for suburban and country residences is yet much favored. it was designed for the requirements of a large family and has served its purpose during several generations and still is so substantial that its massive walls may shelter generations yet to come. at present, only the first and second floors are occupied or furnished.
from the conversation of the domestics i also have learned that the proprietor is a distinguished government official, who, with his family, resides in the capitol and that occasionally he and they come here for recreation and to look after his estate.
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it may surprise you, my sister, to learn that all the lands of ento are held in trust by the government, only the improvements of an estate are owned by the proprietors. later on we will have occasion to further inform you concerning this regulation.
in the istoira is a sort of genealogical record of this family and de l'ester suggests that, as our time is limited, it will be well to at once go there.
de l'ester—we will enter by way of this inner doorway, and for a moment we will pause here. as you may not correctly estimate the dimensions of this istoira, i will inform you, madame, that its depth, including the sanctuary, is about one hundred and twenty feet; its width about sixty feet. these private istoiras are attached to the residences of all large country estates and are used, not only for religious purposes, but for placing of memorial records, and as depositories of the ashes of the dead. as you perceive, the seats are placed only along the sides, and facing us is a beautiful altar, back of which falls heavy drapery concealing from view the sanctuary. in this subdued light the white, very ornately sculptured marble altar gleams like masses of snow flowers. in contrast to its whiteness here are some red and yellow blooms so recently laid on it that the atmosphere is laden with their sweet fragrance.
all over the planet at high noon and at the moment of the disappearance of andûmana̤'s shining abode in the numerous temples and istoiras religious observances occur. at high noon, on occasions, animals are sacrificed and offerings of value are laid on altars. at the evening service only grains, fruits and flowers, the sacred red and yellow tsoina and valseta blooms are offered. soon, we believe, sacrifices involving animal life will be known no more on ento.
isoina
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medium—de l'ester, pardon me for interrupting you. you have informed me that the entoans, as a whole, are more highly civilized than are the peoples of our planet. why, then, do they still practice these superstitious observances?
de l'ester—superstition, madame, is a feature of all religions. the entoans who offer to andûmana̤, or the deific ones, an animal as an atonement for wrong doing, or to perhaps appease an angry god or goddess, are no more superstitious than the christian who believes in the vicarious atonement of jesus of nazareth, whom he regards as an embodiment of god. in the early ages of man's evolvement (i speak of man of any planet) he gropes his way with uncomprehending senses until a period arrives when he becomes a spiritualized being. then he looks about him. effects present themselves to his wondering, fearful gaze, and more or less clearly he perceives them, but as yet he is too immature to associate effects with causes of which he has no conception. gradually he becomes conscious that back of effects there appears to be an intelligent cause or causes, and in accordance with the degree of his spiritual unfoldment he invests this cause or causes with beneficent or maleficent qualities, frequently with both. in time his unfolding ideas become more distinctive, and from them he evolves two personalities, one good, the other evil. the former he reverently adores, the latter he regards with fear and disfavor, yet with a certain respectful consideration. the human ages and ever intuitively he seeks after truth. in his uncertainty he looks this way and that, gathering as he goes fancies which, by and by, he formulates into facts, and these fanciful facts keep pace with his growth, and a period arrives when he establishes a religion which is a concretion of inherited tendencies conjoined to such legendary and other myths
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as may have come his way. further along his larger unfoldment obliges him to discard beliefs which do not fit into his wider views which are the logical consequences of his wider experiences, and in his unrest he grows desperate or indifferent as to what may or may not be true. you are aware that at this time among earth's peoples many are in this unhappy state of mind, and that, what is little less deplorable, multitudes are held in the bonds of ecclesiastical legends and dogmas which ever obscure the truth, and superstition ever is where truth is not.
but the god-man is coming; he will break his bonds asunder,
and go marching through the ages, his gaze turned toward the blue;
where the angel hosts, in tones as of reverberating thunder,
sing hosannahs to the highest, who alone is true.
to the entoans andûmana̤, the supreme one, is absolutely perfect, yet his perfection admits of righteous anger against his willfully offending children whom he, for their own good, chastises until, realizing their culpability, they make atonement for their sinfulness. in bygone times the atonement for sin against their creator demanded human sacrifice, or, perhaps an offering of their most valued possessions, against which no one dared offer a protest.
gods and goddesses who are andûmana̤'s ministers and messengers, he created less perfect than himself, and to appease their anger or to secure their favor sacrifices and offerings without number have been, and are, laid upon the altars of temples and istoiras.
valsĒta̤
certainly such beliefs are very childish, very superstitious, but childhood conceives of childish fancies, and
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man on ento and on earth, spiritually, is yet in swaddling clothes.
beyond the limits of his present unfoldment his infinite possibilities are as little understood as are abstruse utterances by a lisping child, but intuitively, within his being, he perceives godlike attributes, and ever he is impelled toward higher spiritual unfoldment, which is but another expression for what is termed civilization.
on ento, as on earth, the priesthood stem the tide of human progress. always the priesthood are conservative, holding tenaciously to old traditions, rites and ceremonies, and, as a rule, they are sincere in their professions, for it is a fact that through their constant affirmations of the tenets of their various faiths they become so self-psychologized as to be unable to perceive beyond their established views. never are the priesthood in advance of the people. it is only when the multitudes demand larger views of truth that they yield to the necessity of moving forward, and always under protest.
yes, certainly, to be religious is a natural impulse; natural, because man is a spiritualized being, the expression of infinite intelligence and infinite energy in form.
you will allow me to repeat that notwithstanding certain features, the entoans as a whole are more highly evolved spiritually, hence more highly civilized, than are the peoples of earth. in the arts, their attainments are productive of most excellent results. as much may be said of the sciences, in which, with two notable exceptions, of which presently we shall speak, they are far more learned than are earth's scientists. but they are dominated and restricted by their holy writings, which declare that audûmana̤, the supreme one, ever has been, and ever will be. that in a remote time he said, "i no longer will dwell alone and in silence." so, out of him
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self he created astranola̤, a beautiful realm beyond the clouds. a realm ever abloom with loveliest flowers and watered by flowing streams as sweet as nectar. a realm where deep darkness never comes and its dim twilight is irradiated by the innumerable lamps of the deific ones, which ento's children may behold gleaming in the quiet night sky. a realm where storms, sickness and death are unknown and where the air is filled with sweetest perfumes and the land is bathed by dews which fall like clouds of silvery mist. a realm where birds of wonderfully beautiful plumage fill the air with melodious songs, and where no noisome thing exists.
when the creation of astranola̤ was completed andûmana̤ contemplated the expression of his will and was satisfied. then he spoke into existence gods and goddesses, who should dwell in this realm and who should be his ministers and messengers, and then he created ento, which, in the beginning, was as beautiful as the children of his love whom he also spoke into existence and for whom he declared ento should be a home for evermore. through his messengers he gave to them a revelation of his will, which instructed them as to their duties toward their creator, toward his messengers, toward each other, and toward all living creatures whom he had created for their uses and pleasure. and it was specially enjoined upon them that no eye should ever attempt to penetrate the cloud veil falling between them and the abode of the dwellers in astranola̤. should any one presume to disobey this commandment, swift vengeance would be visited upon the offender. to a people entertaining no conception of a continuity of existence and to whom death is an ever present terror, curiosity is not a powerful enough incentive to induce the entoans to risk their chiefest treasure, life, or to bring upon them and theirs the wrath
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of the offended deities of astranola̤. thus, as a science, astronomy is unknown to the entoans.
the holy writings do not forbid an investigation into, or even allude to, ento's physical constitution, but for cogent reasons the learned priesthood ever have opposed themselves to whatever might remotely imperil their cherished dogmas. thus it occurs that, while many scholars possess a minute knowledge of the science of mineralogy, geology as a science finds small favor. no, nowhere in the holy writings is there even a suggestion of human or other living sacrifice. it was not until after a fanatical and powerful priesthood became the sole interpreters of the mysteries of religion that andûmana̤, through a revelation of his will, demanded human sacrifice as a test of obedience or as an atonement for sin.
at another time i may inform you further in relation to the ento scriptures, which embody not only the revelation of andûmana̤'s will and the fanciful story of ento's creation, but also much of the history of ancient times. how far back do the ento scriptures date? we have been informed that unquestionably this supposed revelation occurred nearly fifty centuries ago. yes, ento time. the age of the planet no entoan either in or out of the physical body assumes to know. soon we shall have with us some learned ento spirits, who, we doubt not, will gladly afford us exact information upon this and other subjects of interest. no further questions at present, madame, for time flies and soon we must return you to earth.
the sun held aloft in the hand of the statue surmounting the altar is emblematic of andûmana̤'s supposed abode, and this really fine mosaic, representing sun rays radiating from the circular altar, also is an emblem of the same.
observe, now, this central marble shaft, which rises nearly to the domed roof. both base and capital are
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sculptured masses of grains, fruits and flowers. the surface of the shaft is divided into sections on which are engraved names and brief records of departed entoans. above each legend is a head in bas-relief, and so well executed are these images of the dead that one can easily determine as to age and characteristics of the originals. through such knowledge of their written language as i possess i shall attempt to gain some information relating to these people of a bygone day.
muyolos kalaf and feniston inisella were ancestor and ancestress to inisellēna. their sculptured faces indicate that they were handsome and intellectual persons and that all lived to a good old age.
here it is stated that the original of this admirable bust was one hûyten dēmos, who was sire to endoifan inivos, who became the mother of rosilla, who in time gave birth to stivon izamma, which also was the name of his sire, who was greatgrandsire to silvano izam, the present proprietor of the residence we have been viewing. engraved on this shaft is quite a family history, but we shall find matters of greater interest to enlist our attention.
this edifice in itself is both istoira̤ and fa̤va̤ a croidas, where the ashes of the departed are deposited, and in those sealed, ornamental receptacles are the incinerated remains of past generations. observe the many sculptured forms on this and on the opposite wall. here is a face, hoary with age, but with a fine, majestic expression, and here are others of the midday of life, representing splendid types of the human.
here are faces of youths and maidens as entrancing as dreams of love. of children, too, angelic in their beauty and innocence of expression. ah, me! were mortal life the end of all, better to not have been born into it. think of all that these sculptured faces stand for. smiling in
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fants, youths and maidens and mature men and women, who loved with intensest devotion and who passed to their spirit world without either hope or expectation of reunion.
all, all lived and loved, joyed and sorrowed and when death came hopeless despair came also. how could it have been otherwise? to live, to love, to die, and then—nothing. this was their belief and is yet the belief of the entire peoples of ento, whom it holds in a state of hopeless despair, of measureless anguish.
medium—have the entoans never believed in a continuity of existence?
de l'ester—we have learned that previous to the establishment of the national religion, which largely was based upon their legendary holy writings, there were those who entertained vague theories relating to it, so vague indeed that they do not appear to have influenced those who formulated the ento religion.
you have been informed that planetary influences are controlling factors, accelerating or retarding the spiritual unfoldment of humans of whatever planet. the influences dominating the entoans ever have tended toward a positive mental materialism, but their spirituality has conserved and exalted them, thus enabling them to submissively yield to the will of their creator.
then, too, there is that in the human which impels him to submit to the inevitable. in agony unspeakable he may for a time rebel, but in the end he submits. thus it has been with the peoples of this planet. they have hopelessly, despairingly submitted to what they have considered inevitable. but for them a brighter day is dawning, and is near at hand; the darkness of a hopeless belief ere long will pass away, for bright rays from their spirit realms are irradiating their inner consciousness and death, the dread messenger who ever stands between them and happi
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ness, soon will be known as the angel who will open for them the gateway into a continuous, glorious existence. to their soul consciousness there is yet no visible sign of the coming religious revolution, yet events are so shaping themselves that you shall see this prediction verified; not only see it, but you will aid in bringing it to pass. ere long you will better understand my meaning; at present it would not be well to say more in this direction.
we might with pleasure and advantage remain here for another hour, but you are somewhat exhausted, and we must act prudently, else we may find occasion for regret.
george alone will attend you on your earthward journey. special duties elsewhere demand our immediate attention. to-morrow at the appointed time we will come for you. no, madame, we will not again return to this locality. adieu.
