"You’lldothatanywaywhenyourtimecomes，Bickley，Imeandecease，ofcourse，"interruptedBastin。"Andwhoknows，perhapsallthisisanopportunitygivenbyProvidencetoopenyoureyes，which，Imustsay，aresingularlyblind。Youthinkyouknoweverythingthereistolearn，butthefactisthatliketherestofus，youknownothingatall，andgoodmanthoughyouare，obstinatelyrefusetoadmitthetruthandtoseeksupportelsewhere。FormypartIbelievethatyouareafraidoffallinginlovewiththatGlitteringLadyandofbeingconvincedbyherthatyouarewronginyourmostunsatisfactoryconclusions。"
　　"Iamout—votedanyway，"saidBickley，"andfortherest，Bastin，lookafteryourselfandleavemealone。IwilladdthatonthewholeIthinkyouarebothright，andthatitiswisestforustostopwhereweare，forafterallwecanonlydieonce。"
　　"Iamnotsosure，Bickley。Thereisathingcalledtheseconddeath，whichiswhatistroublingthatoldscoundrel，Oro。NowI
　　willgoandlookforthosebooks。"
　　Sotheideaofflightwasabandoned，althoughIadmitthateventomyselfithadattractions。ForIfeltthatIwasbeingwrappedinanetofmysteriesfromwhichIsawnoescape。Yes，andofmorethanmysteries；IwhohadswornthatIwouldneverlookuponanotherwoman，waslearningtolovethissweetandwondrousYva，andofthatwhatcouldbetheend？
　　Wecollectedallwehadcometoseek，andstartedhomewardsescortedbyMaramaandhispeople，includinganumberofyoungwomenwhodancedbeforeusinalightarrayofflowers。
　　Passingouroldhouse，wecametothegrovewheretheidolOrohadstoodandBastinwassonearlysacrificed。Therewasanotheridoltherenowwhichhewishedtoexamine，butintheenddidnotasthenativessoobviouslyobjected。IndeedMaramatoldmethatnotwithstandingthemysteriousdeathofthesorcerersontheRockofOfferings，therewasstillastrongpartyintheislandwhowouldbegladtodousamischiefifanyfurtheraffrontwereofferedtotheirhereditarygod。
　　Hequestionedusalsotentativelyabouttheapparition，forsuchheconceivedittobe，whichhadappearedupontherockandkilledthesorcerers，andIansweredhimasIthoughtwisest，tellinghimthataterriblePowerwasafootintheland，whichhewoulddowelltoobey。
　　"Yes，"hesaid；"theGodoftheMountainofwhomthetraditionhascomedowntousfromourforefathers。Heisawakeagain；hesees，hehearsandweareafraid。Pleadwithhimforus，O
　　Friend—from—the—Sea。"
　　Ashespokewewerepassingthroughalittlepatchofthickbush。Suddenlyfromoutofthisbush，Isawaladappear。Heworeamaskuponhisface，butfromhisshapecouldnothavebeenmorethanthirteenorfourteenyearsofage。Inhishandwasawoodenclub。Heranforward，stopped，andwithayellofhatehurledit，IthinkatBastin，butithitme。AtanyrateIfeltashockandrememberednomore。
　　Dreams。Dreams。Endlessdreams！Whatweretheyallabout？Idonotknow。ItseemedtomethatthroughthemcontinuallyIsawthestatelyfigureofoldOrocontemplatingmegravely，asthoughheweremakinguphismindaboutsomethinginwhichImustplayapart。Thentherewasanotherfigure，thatofthegraciousbutimperialYva，whofromtimetotime，asIthought，leantovermeandwhisperedinmyearwordsofrestandcomfort。Norwasthisall，sincehershapehadawayofchangingsuddenlyintothatofmylostwifewhowouldspeakwithhervoice。OrperhapsmywifewouldspeakwithYva’svoice。Tomydisorderedsenseitwasasthoughtheywereonepersonality，havingtwoshapes，eitherofwhichcouldbeassumedatwill。Itwasmoststrangeandyettomemostblessed，sinceinthelivingIseemedtohavefoundthedead，andinthedeadtheliving。More，Itookjourneys，orrathersomeunknownpartofmeseemedtodoso。OneoftheseI
　　remember，foritsmajesticcharacterstampeditselfuponmymindinsuchafashionthatallthewatersofdeliriumcouldnotwashitoutnorallitswindsblowawaythatmemory。
　　IwastravellingthroughspacewithYvaathousandtimesfasterthanlightcanflash。Wepassedsunaftersun。Theydrewnear，theygrewintoenormous，flamingGloriesroundwhichcircledworlduponworld。Theybecamesmall，dwindledtopointsoflightanddisappeared。
　　Wefoundfootinguponsomefarlandandpassedamarvelouswhitecitywhereinwerebuildingswithdomesofcrystalandalabaster，inthelatterofwhichweresetwindowsmadeofgreatjewels；sapphiresorrubiestheyseemedtome。Wewentonupalovelyvalley。Totheleftwerehills，downwhichtumbledwaterfalls；totherightwasariverbroadanddeepthatseemedtooverflowitsbanksasdoestheNile。Behindwerehighmountainsontheslopesofwhichgrewforestsofglorioustrees，someofthemaflamewithbloom，whilefarawayuptheircrestsstoodcolossalgoldenstatuessetwideapart。Theylookedlikeguardianangelswatchingthatcityandthatvale。Thelandwaslitwithalightsuchasthatofthemoon，onlyintensifiedandofmanycolours。Indeedlookingup，Isawthataboveusfloatedthreemoons，eachofthembiggerthanourownatthefull，andgatheredthathereitwasnight。
　　Wecametoahousesetamidscentedgardensandhavinginfrontofitterracesofflowers。Itseemednotunlikemyownhouseathome，butItooklittlenoteofit，becauseofawomanwhosatupontheverandah，ifImaycallitso。Shewascladingarmentsofwhitesilkfastenedabouthermiddlewithajewelledgirdle。
　　Onherneckalsowasacollarofjewels。Iforgetthecolour；
　　indeedthisseemedtochangecontinuallyasthelightfromthedifferentmoonsstruckwhenshemoved，butIthinkitsprevailingtingewasblue。Inherarmsthiswomannursedabeauteous，sleepingchild，singinghappilyassherockedittoandfro。Yvawenttowardsthewomanwholookedupatherstepandutteredalittlecry。ThenforthefirsttimeIsawthewoman’sface。Itwasthatofmydeadwife！
　　AsIfollowedinmydream，alittlecloudofmistseemedtocoverbothmywifeandYva，andwhenIreachedtheplaceYvawasgone。Onlymywiferemained，sheandthechild。Thereshestood，solemnandsweet。WhileIdrewnearshelaiddownthechilduponthecushionedseatfromwhichshehadrisen。Shestretchedoutherarmsandflungthemaboutme。SheembracedmeandIembracedherinaraptureofreunion。Thenturningsheliftedupthechild，itwasagirl，formetokiss。
　　"Seeyourdaughter，"shesaid，"andbeholdallthatIammakingreadyforyouwhereweshalldwellinadaytocome。"
　　Igrewconfused。
　　"Yva，"Isaid。"WhereisYvawhobroughtmehere？Didshegointothehouse？"
　　"Yes，"sheansweredhappily。"Yvawentintothehouse。Lookagain！"
　　IlookedanditwasYva’sfacethatwaspressedagainstmyown，andYva’seyesthatgazedintomine。Onlyshewasgarbedasmywifehadbeen，andonherbosomhungthechangefulnecklace。
　　"Youmaynotstay，"shewhispered，andlo！itwasmywifethatspoke，notYva。
　　"Tellmewhatitmeans？"Iimplored。
　　"Icannot，"sheanswered。"Therearemysteriesthatyoumaynotknowasyet。LoveYvaifyouwillandIshallnotbejealous，forinlovingYvayouloveme。Youcannotunderstand？Thenknowthis，thatthespirithasmanyshapes，andyetisthesamespirit——
　　sometimes。NowIwhoamfar，yetnear，bidyoufarewellawhile。"
　　Thenallpassedinaflashandthedreamended。
　　SuchwastheonlyoneofthosevisionswhichIcanrecall。
　　Iseemedtowakeupasfromalongandtumultuoussleep。ThefirstthingIsawwasthepalmroofofourhouseupontherock。I
　　knewitwasourhouse，forjustabovemewasapalmleafofwhichIhadmyselftiedthestalktotheframeworkwithabitofcolouredribbonihadIhadchancedtofindinmypocket。ItcameoriginallyfromtheprogrammecardofadancethatIhadattendedatHonoluluandIhadkeptitbecauseIthoughtitmightbeuseful。FinallyIusedittosecurethatlooseleaf。Istaredattheribbonwhichbroughtbackafloodofmemories，andasIwasthusengagedIheardvoicestalking，andlistened——Bickley’svoice，andtheLadyYva’s。
　　"Yes，"Bickleywassaying，"hewilldowellnow，buthewentnear，verynear。"
　　"Iknewhewouldnotdie，"sheanswered，"becausemyfathersaidso。"
　　"Therearetwosortsofdeaths，"repliedBickley，"thatofthebodyandthatofthemind。Iwasafraidthatevenifhelived，hisreasonwouldgo，butfromcertainindicationsIdonotthinkthatwillhappennow。Hewillgetquitewellagain——though——"andhestopped。
　　"Iamverygladtohearyousayso，"chimedinBastin。"ForweeksIthoughtthatIshouldhavetoreadtheBurialServiceoverpoorArbuthnot。IndeedIwasmuchpuzzledastothebestplacetoburyhim。FinallyIfoundaverysuitablespotroundthecornerthere，whereitisn’trock，inwhichonecan’tdigandthesoilisnotliabletobeflooded。InfactIwentsofarastoclearawaythebushandtomarkoutthegravewithitsfoottotheeast。Inthisclimateonecan’tdelay，youknow。"
　　WeakasIwas，Ismiled。ThispracticalproceedingwassoexactlylikeBastin。
　　"Well，youwastedyourlabour，"exclaimedBickley。
　　"Yes，IamgladtosayIdid。ButIdon’tthinkitwasyouroperationsandtherestthatcuredhim，Bickley，althoughyoutakeallthecredit。IbelieveitwastheLife—waterthattheLadyYvamadehimdrinkandthestuffthatOrosentwhichwegavehimwhenyouweren’tlooking。"
　　"ThenIhopethatinthefutureyouwillnotinterferewithmycases，"saidtheindignantBickley，andeitherthevoicespassedawayorIwenttosleep。
　　WhenIwokeupagainitwastofindtheLadyYvaseatedatmysidewatchingme。
　　"Forgiveme，Humphrey，becauseIhere；othersgoneoutwalking，"shesaidslowlyinEnglish。
　　"Whotaughtyoumylanguage？"Iasked，astonished。"BastinandBickley，whileyouill，theyteach；theyteachmemuch。Manjustsamenowashewashundredthousandyearsago，"sheaddedenigmatically。"Allthinkonewomanbeautifulwhennootherwomanthere。"
　　"Indeed，"Ireplied，wonderingtowhatproceedingsonthepartofBastinandBickleyshealluded。Couldthatself—centredpair——
　　oh！itwasimpossible。
　　"HowlonghaveIbeenill？"IaskedtoescapethesubjectwhichIfelttobeuncomfortable。
　　Sheliftedherbeautifuleyesinsearchofwordsandbegantocountuponherfingers。
　　"Twomoon，onehalfmoon，yes，tenweek，countingSabbath，"sheansweredtriumphantly。
　　"Tenweeks！"Iexclaimed。
　　"Yes，Humphrey，tenwholeweeksandthreedaysyoufirstbad，thenmad。Oh！"shewenton，breakingintotheOrofenantonguewhichshespokesoperfectly，althoughitwasnotherown。ThatlanguageofhersIneverlearned，butIknowshethoughtinitandonlytranslatedintoOrofenan，becauseofthegreatdifficultywhichshehadinrenderingherhighandrefinedideasintoitssimplermetaphor，andthestrangewordswhichoftensheintroduced。"Oh！youhavebeenveryill，friendofmyheart。AttimesIthoughtthatyouweregoingtodie，andweptandwept。
　　Bickleythinksthathesavedyouandheisveryclever。Buthecouldnothavesavedyou；thatwantedmoreknowledgethananyofyourpeoplehave；onlyIprayyou，donottellhimsobecauseitwouldhurthispride。"
　　"Whatwasthematterwithmethen，Yva？"
　　"Allwasthematter。First，theweaponwhichthatyouththrew——
　　hewasthesonofthesorcererwhommyfatherdestroyed——crushedintheboneofyourhead。Heisdeadforhiscrimeandmayhebeaccursedforever，"sheaddedintheonlyoutbreakofrageandvindictivenessinwhichIeversawherindulge。
　　"Onemustmakeexcusesforhim；hisfatherhadbeenkilled，"I
　　said。
　　"Yes，thatiswhatBastintellsme，anditistrue。Still，forthatyoungmanIcanmakenoexcuse；itwascowardlyandwicked。
　　Well，Bickleyperformedwhathecallsoperation，andtheLordOro，hecameupfromhishouseandhelpedhim，becauseBastinisnogoodinsuchthings。Thenhecanonlyturnawayhisheadandpray。I，too，helped，holdinghotwaterandlinenandjarofthestuffthatmadeyoufeellikenothing，althoughthesightmademefeelmoresickthananythingsinceIsawoneIlovedkilled，oh，long，longago。"
　　"Wastheoperationsuccessful？"Iasked，forIdidnotdaretobegintothankher。
　　"Yes，thatcleverman，Bickley，liftedthebonewhichhadbeencrushedin。Onlythensomethingbrokeinyourheadandyoubegantobleedhere，"andshetouchedwhatIbelieveiscalledthetemporalartery。"Theveinhadbeencrushedbytheblow，andgaveway。Bickleyworkedandworked，andjustintimehetieditupbeforeyoudied。Oh！thenIfeltasthoughIlovedBickley，thoughafterwardsBastinsaidthatIoughttohavelovedhim，sinceitwasnotBickleywhostoppedthebleeding，buthisprayer。"
　　"Perhapsitwasboth，"Isuggested。
　　"Perhaps，Humphrey，atleastyouweresaved。Thencameanothertrouble。Youtookfever。Bickleysaidthatitwasbecauseacertaingnathadbittenyouwhenyouwentdowntotheship，andmyfather，theLordOro，toldmethatthiswasright。Attheleastyougrewveryweakandlostyourmind，anditseemedasthoughyoumustdie。Then，Humphrey，IwenttotheLordOroandkneeledbeforehimandprayedyoulife，forIknewthathecouldcureyouifhewould，thoughBickley’sskillwasatanend。
　　"’Daughter，’hesaidtome，’notoncebutagainandagainyouhavesetupyourwillagainstmineinthepast。WhythenshouldI
　　troublemyselftograntthisdesireofyoursinthepresent，andsaveamanwhoisnothingtome？’
　　"Irosetomyfeetandanswered，’Idonotknow，myFather，yetIamcertainthatforyourownsakeitwillbewelltodoso。I
　　amsurethatofeverythingevenyoumustgiveanaccountatlast，greatthoughyoube，andwhoknows，perhapsonelifewhichyouhavesavedmayturnthebalanceinyourfavour。’
　　"’SurelythepriestBastinhasbeentalkingtoyou，’hesaid。
　　"’Hehas，’Ianswered，’andnothealone。Manyvoiceshavebeentalkingtome。’"
　　"Whatdidyoumeanbythat？"Iasked。
　　"ItmattersnothingwhatImeant，Humphrey。Bestillandlistentomystory。Myfatherthoughtawhileandanswered：
　　"’Iamjealousofthisstranger。Whatishebutashort—livedhalf—barbariansuchasweknewintheolddays？Andyetalreadyyouthinkmoreofhimthanyoudoofme，yourfather，thedivineOrowhohaslivedathousandyears。AtfirstIhelpedthatphysiciantosavehim，butnowIthinkIwishhimdead。’
　　"’Ifyouletthismandie，myFather，’Ianswered，’thenwepart。RememberthatIalsohaveofthewisdomofourpeople，andcanuseitifIwill。’
　　"’Thensavehimyourself，’hesaid。
　　"’PerhapsIshall，myFather，’Ianswered，’butifsoitwillnotbehere。Isaythatifsowepartandyoushallbelefttoruleinyourmajestyalone。’
　　"NowthisfrightenedtheLordOro，forhehastheweaknessthathehatestobealone。
　　"’IfIdowhatyouwill，doyouswearnevertoleaveme，Yva？’
　　heasked。’Knowthatifyouwillnotswear，themandies。’
　　"’Iswear，’Ianswered——foryoursake，Humphrey——thoughIdidnotlovetheoath。
　　"ThenhegavemeacertainmedicinetomixwiththeLife—water，andwhenyouwerealmostgonethatmedicinecuredyou，thoughBickleydoesnotknowit，asnothingelsecouldhavedone。NowI
　　havetoldyouthetruth，foryourownearonly，Humphrey。"
　　"Yva，"Iasked，"whydidyoudoallthisforme？"
　　"Humphrey，Idonotknow，"sheanswered，"butIthinkbecauseI
　　must。Nowsleepawhile。"
　　ChapterXIX
　　TheProposalsofBastinandBickleySofarasmybodywasconcernedIgrewwellwithgreatrapidity，thoughitwaslongbeforeIgotbackmystrength。ThusIcouldnotwalkfarorendureanysustainedexertion。Withmyminditwasotherwise。Icannotexplainwhathadhappenedtoit；
　　indeedIdonotknow，butinasenseitseemedtohavebecomedetachedandtohaveassumedakindofpersonalityofitsown。Attimesitfeltasthoughitwerenolongeraninhabitantofthebody，butratheritsmoreorlessindependentpartner。Iwasperfectlyclear—headedandofinsanityIexperiencednosymptoms。
　　Yetmymind，Iusethattermfromlackofabetter，wasnotentirelyundermycontrol。Foronething，atnightitappearedtowanderfaraway，thoughwhitheritwentandwhatitsawthereI
　　couldneverremember。
　　Irecordthisbecausepossiblyitexplainscertainmysteriousevents，iftheywereeventsandnotdreams，whichshortlyImustsetout。IspoketoBickleyaboutthematter。Heputitbylightly，sayingthatitwasonlyaresultofmylongandmostsevereillnessandthatIshouldsteadydownintime，especiallyifwecouldescapefromthatislandanditsunnaturalatmosphere。
　　Yetashespokeheglancedatmeshrewdlywithhisquickeyes，andwhenheturnedtogoawayIheardhimmuttersomethingtohimselfabout"unholyinfluences"and"thatconfoundedoldOro。"
　　Thewordswerespokentohimselfandquitebeneathhisbreath，andofcoursenotmeanttoreachme。Butoneofthecuriousconcomitantsofmystatewasthatallmysenses，andespeciallymyhearing，hadbecomemostabnormallyacute。Awhisperfarawaywasnowtomelikealoudremarkmadeinaroom。
　　Bickley’sreflection，forIcanscarcelycallitmore，setmethinking。YvahadsaidthatOrosentmemedicinewhichwasadministeredtomewithoutBickley’sknowledge，andasshebelieved，savedmylife，orcertainlymyreason。Whatwasinit？
　　Iwondered。ThentherewasthatLife—waterwhichYvabroughtandinsisteduponmydrinkingeveryday。Undoubtedlyitwasamarveloustonicanddidmegood。Butithadothereffectsalso。
　　Thus，asshesaidwouldbethecase，afteracourseofitI
　　conceivedthegreatestdislike，whichImayaddhasneverentirelyleftme，ofanyformofmeat，alsoofalcohol。AllI
　　seemedtowantwasthiswaterwithfruit，orsuchnativevegetablesastherewere。Bickleydisapprovedandmademeeatfishoccasionally，buteventhisrevoltedme，andsinceIgainedsteadilyinweight，aswefoundoutbyasimplecontrivance，andremainedhealthyineveryotherway，soonheallowedmetochoosemyowndiet。
　　AboutthistimeOrobegantopaymefrequentvisits。Healwayscameatnight，andwhatismoreIknewwhenhewascoming，althoughhenevergavemewarning。HereIshouldexplainthatduringmyillnessBastin，whowassoingeniousinsuchmatters，hadbuiltanotherhutinwhichheandBickleyslept，ofcoursewhentheywerenotwatchingme，leavingouroldbed—chambertomyself。
　　Well，IwouldwakeupandbeawarethatOrowascoming。Thenheappearedinasilentandmysteriousway，asthoughhehadmaterialisedintheroom，forIneversawhimpassthedoorway。
　　Inthemoonlight，orthestarlight，whichflowedthroughtheentranceandthesideofthehutthatwasonlyenclosedwithlatticework，Iperceivedhimseathimselfuponacertainstool，lookinglikeamostmajesticghostwithhisflowingrobes，longwhitebeard，hookednoseandhawkeyes。Intheday—timehemuchresembledthelateGeneralBoothwhomIhadoftenseen，exceptforcertainaddedqualitiesofheightandclassicbeautyofcountenance。Atnight，however，heresemblednoonebuthimself，indeedtherewassomethingmightyandgodlikeinhisappearance，somethingthatmadeonefeelthathewasnotasareothermen。
　　Forawhilehewouldsitandlookatme。Thenhebegantospeakinalow，vibrantvoice。Whatdidhespeakof？Well，manymatters。Itwasasthoughhewereunburdeningthathoarysoulofhisbecauseitcouldnolongerendurethegrandeurofitsownloneliness。Amongstsundrysecretthings，hetoldmeofthepasthistoryofthisworldofours，andofthemightycivilisationswhichforuncountedagesheandhisforefathershadruledbythestrengthoftheirwillandknowledge，ofthedwindlingoftheirraceandofthefinaldestructionofitsenemies，althoughI
　　noticedthatnowhenolongersaidthatthiswashisworkalone。
　　OnenightIaskedhimifhedidnotmissallsuchpompandpower。
　　Thensuddenlyhebrokeout，andforthefirsttimeIreallylearnedwhatambitioncanbewhenitutterlypossessesthesoulofman。
　　"Areyoumad，"heasked，"thatyousupposethatI，Oro，theKingofkings，canbecontenttodwellsolitaryinagreatcavewithnonebuttheshadowsofthedeadtoserveme？Nay，Imustruleagainandbeevengreaterthanbefore，orelseItoowilldie。Bettertofacethefuture，evenifitmeansoblivion，thantoremainthusarelicofagloriouspast，stilllivingandyetdead，likethatstatueofthegreatgodFatewhichyousawinthetempleofmyworship。"
　　"Bastindoesnotthinkthatthefuturemeansoblivion，"I
　　remarked。
　　"Iknowit。Ihavestudiedhisfaithandfindittoohumbleformytaste，alsotoonew。ShallI，Oro，creepasuppliantbeforeanyPower，andconfesswhatBastinispleasedtocallmysins？
　　Nay，Iwhoamgreatwillbetheequalofallgreatness，ornothing。"
　　Hepausedawhile，thenwenton：
　　"Bastinspeaksof’eternity。’Whereandwhatthenisthiseternitywhichifithasnoendcanhavehadnobeginning？Iknowthesecretofthesunsandtheirattendantworlds，andtheyarenomoreeternalthantheinsectwhichglittersforanhour。Outofshapeless，rushinggasestheygatheredtolivetheirday，andintogasesatlasttheydissolveagainwithalltheybore。"
　　"Yes，"Ianswered，"buttheyreformintonewworlds。"
　　"Thathavenopartwiththeold。Thisworld，too，willmelt，departingtowhenceitcame，asyoursacredwritingssay，andwhatthenofthosewhodweltanddwellthereon？No，Manoftoday，givemeTimeinwhichIruleandkeepyourdreamsofanEternitythatisnot，andinwhichyoumuststillcrawlandserve，evenifitwere。Yet，ifImight，Iconfessit，Iwouldliveonforever，butasMasternotasSlave。"