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on finding that I persisted in my wish to have the balloon made；
she produced an order from the King to the effect that all
facilities I might require should be afforded me。
At the same time her Majesty told me that my attempted ascent would
be made an article of impeachment against me in case I did not
succeed in prevailing on the air god to stop the drought。 Neither
King nor Queen had any idea that I meant going right away if I
could get the wind to take me； nor had he any conception of the
existence of a certain steady upper current of air which was always
setting in one direction； as could be seen by the shape of the
higher clouds； which pointed invariably from south…east to north…
west。 I had myself long noticed this peculiarity in the climate；
and attributed it； I believe justly； to a trade…wind which was
constant at a few thousand feet above the earth； but was disturbed
by local influences at lower elevations。
My next business was to break the plan to Arowhena； and to devise
the means for getting her into the car。 I felt sure that she would
come with me； but had made up my mind that if her courage failed
her； the whole thing should come to nothing。 Arowhena and I had
been in constant communication through her maid； but I had thought
it best not to tell her the details of my scheme till everything
was settled。 The time had now arrived； and I arranged with the
maid that I should be admitted by a private door into Mr。
Nosnibor's garden at about dusk on the following evening。
I came at the appointed time； the girl let me into the garden and
bade me wait in a secluded alley until Arowhena should come。 It
was now early summer； and the leaves were so thick upon the trees
that even though some one else had entered the garden I could have
easily hidden myself。 The night was one of extreme beauty； the sun
had long set； but there was still a rosy gleam in the sky over the
ruins of the railway station； below me was the city already
twinkling with lights； while beyond it stretched the plains for
many a league until they blended with the sky。 I just noted these
things； but I could not heed them。 I could heed nothing； till； as
I peered into the darkness of the alley； I perceived a white figure
gliding swiftly towards me。 I bounded towards it； and ere thought
could either prompt or check； I had caught Arowhena to my heart and
covered her unresisting cheek with kisses。
So overjoyed were we that we knew not how to speak； indeed I do not
know when we should have found words and come to our senses； if the
maid had not gone off into a fit of hysterics； and awakened us to
the necessity of self…control； then； briefly and plainly； I
unfolded what I proposed； I showed her the darkest side； for I felt
sure that the darker the prospect the more likely she was to come。
I told her that my plan would probably end in death for both of us；
and that I dared not press itthat at a word from her it should be
abandoned； still that there was just a possibility of our escaping
together to some part of the world where there would be no bar to
our getting married； and that I could see no other hope。
She made no resistance； not a sign or hint of doubt or hesitation。
She would do all I told her； and come whenever I was ready； so I
bade her send her maid to meet me nightlytold her that she must
put a good face on； look as bright and happy as she could； so as to
make her father and mother and Zulora think that she was forgetting
meand be ready at a moment's notice to come to the Queen's
workshops； and be concealed among the ballast and under rugs in the
car of the balloon； and so we parted。
I hurried my preparations forward； for I feared rain； and also that
the King might change his mind； but the weather continued dry； and
in another week the Queen's workmen had finished the balloon and
car； while the gas was ready to be turned on into the balloon at
any moment。 All being now prepared I was to ascend on the
following morning。 I had stipulated for being allowed to take
abundance of rugs and wrappings as protection from the cold of the
upper atmosphere； and also ten or a dozen good…sized bags of
ballast。
I had nearly a quarter's pension in hand； and with this I fee'd
Arowhena's maid； and bribed the Queen's foremanwho would； I
believe； have given me assistance even without a bribe。 He helped
me to secrete food and wine in the bags of ballast； and on the
morning of my ascent he kept the other workmen out of the way while
I got Arowhena into the car。 She came with early dawn； muffled up；
and in her maid's dress。 She was supposed to be gone to an early
performance at one of the Musical Banks； and told me that she
should not be missed till breakfast； but that her absence must then
be discovered。 I arranged the ballast about her so that it should
conceal her as she lay at the bottom of the car； and covered her
with wrappings。 Although it still wanted some hours of the time
fixed for my ascent； I could not trust myself one moment from the
car； so I got into it at once； and watched the gradual inflation of
the balloon。 Luggage I had none； save the provisions hidden in the
ballast bags； the books of mythology； and the treatises on the
machines； with my own manuscript diaries and translations。
I sat quietly； and awaited the hour fixed for my departurequiet
outwardly； but inwardly I was in an agony of suspense lest
Arowhena's absence should be discovered before the arrival of the
King and Queen； who were to witness my ascent。 They were not due
yet for another two hours； and during this time a hundred things
might happen； any one of which would undo me。
At last the balloon was full； the pipe which had filled it was
removed； the escape of the gas having been first carefully
precluded。 Nothing remained to hinder the balloon from ascending
but the hands and weight of those who were holding on to it with
ropes。 I strained my eyes for the coming of the King and Queen；
but could see no sign of their approach。 I looked in the direction
of Mr。 Nosnibor's housethere was nothing to indicate disturbance；
but it was not yet breakfast time。 The crowd began to gather； they
were aware that I was under the displeasure of the court； but I
could detect no signs of my being unpopular。 On the contrary； I
received many kindly expressions of regard and encouragement； with
good wishes as to the result of my journey。
I was speaking to one gentleman of my acquaintance； and telling him
the substance of what I intended to do when I had got into the
presence of the air god （what he thought of me I cannot guess； for
I am sure that he did not believe in the objective existence of the
air god； nor that I myself believed in it）； when I became aware of
a small crowd of people running as fast as they could from Mr。
Nosnibor's house towards the Queen's workshops。 For the moment my
pulse ceased beating； and then； knowing that the time had come when
I must either do or die； I called vehemently to those who were
holding the ropes （some thirty men） to let go at once； and made
gestures signifying danger； and that there would be mischief if
they held on longer。 Many