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behind。 They went on loving her； that was all； but as men love
their sisters or their daughters； as we conceive that they may
love in that land where there is no marrying or giving in
marriage。
But now； in her sadness； she drew ever nearer to us； and
especially to myself； more in tune with our age and thought。 In
truth； save for her royal and glittering loveliness in which
there was some quality which proclaimed her of another blood； and
for that reserve of hidden power which at times would look out of
her eyes or break through her words； she might in most ways have
been some singularly gifted and beautiful modern woman。
The time has come when I must speak of my relations with Yva
and of their climax。 As may have been guessed； from the first I
began to love her。 While the weeks went on that love grew and
grew； until it utterly possessed me； although for a certain
reason connected with one dead； at first I fought against it。 Yet
it did not develop quite in the fashion that might have been
expected。 There was no blazing up of passion's fire； rather was
there an ever…increasing glow of the holiest affection； till at
last it became a lamp by which I must guide my feet through life
and death。 This love of mine seemed not of earth but from the
stars。 As yet I had said nothing to her of it because in some way
I felt that she did not wish me to do so； felt also that she was
well aware of all that passed within my heart； and desired； as it
were； to give it time to ripen there。 Then one day there came a
change； and though no glance or touch of Yva's told me so； I knew
that the bars were taken down and that I might speak。
It was a night of full moon。 All that afternoon she had been
talking to Bastin apart； I suppose about religion； for I saw that
he had some books in his hand from which he was expounding
something to her in his slow； earnest way。 Then she came and sat
with us while we took our evening meal。 I remember that mine
consisted of some of the Life…water which she had brought with her
and fruit； for； as I think I have said； I had acquired her
dislike to meat； also that she ate some plantains； throwing the
skins for Tommy to fetch and laughing at his play。 When it was
over； Bastin and Bickley went away together； whether by chance or
design I do not know； and she said to me suddenly：
〃Humphrey； you have often asked me about the city Pani； of
which a little portion of the ruins remains upon this island； the
rest being buried beneath the waters。 If you wish I will show you
where our royal palace was before the barbarians destroyed it
with their airships。 The moon is very bright； and by it we can
see。〃
I nodded； for； knowing what she meant； somehow I could not
answer her； and we began the ascent of the hill。 She explained to
me the plan of the palace when we reached the ruins； showing me
where her own apartments had been； and the rest。 It was very
strange to hear her quietly telling of buildings which had stood
and of things that had happened over two hundred and fifty
thousand years before； much as any modern lady might do of a
house that had been destroyed a month ago by an earthquake or a
Zeppelin bomb； while she described the details of a disaster
which now frightened her no more。 I think it was then that for
the first time I really began to believe that in fact Yva had
lived all those aeons since and been as she still appeared。
We passed from the palace to the ruins of the temple； through
what； as she said； had been a pleasure…garden； pointing out where
a certain avenue of rare palms had grown； down which once it was
her habit to walk in the cool of the day。 Or； rather； there were
two terraced temples； one dedicated to Fate like that in the
underground city of Nyo； and the other to Love。 Of the temple to
Fate she told me her father had been the High Priest； and of the
temple to Love she was the High Priestess。
Then it was that I understood why she had brought me here。
She led the way to a marble block covered with worn…out carvings
and almost buried in the debris。 This； she said； was the altar of
offerings。 I asked her what offerings； and she replied with a
smile：
〃Only wine； to signify the spirit of life； and flowers to
symbolise its fragrance；〃 and she laid her finger on a cup…like
depression； still apparent in the marble； into which the wine was
poured。
Indeed； I gathered that there was nothing coarse or
bacchanalian about this worship of a prototype of Aphrodite； on
the contrary； that it was more or less spiritual and ethereal。 We
sat down on the altar stone。 I wondered a little that she should
have done so； but she read my thought； and answered：
〃Sometimes we change our faiths； Humphrey； or perhaps they
grow。 Also； have I not told you that sacrifices were offered on
this altar？〃 and she sighed and smiled。
I do not know which was the sweeter； the smile or the sigh。
We looked at the water glimmering in the crater beneath us on
the edge of which we sat。 We looked at heaven above in which the
great moon sailed royally。 Then we looked into each other's eyes。
〃I love you；〃 I said。
〃I know it；〃 she answered gently。 〃You have loved me from the
first； have you not？ Even when I lay asleep in the coffin you
began to love me； but until you dreamed a certain dream you would
not admit it。〃
〃Yva； what was the meaning of that dream？〃
〃I cannot say； Humphrey。 But I tell you this。 As you will learn
in time； one spirit may be clothed in different garments of the
flesh。〃
I did not understand her； but； in some strange way； her words
brought to my mind those that Natalie spoke at the last； and I
answered：
〃Yva； when my wife lay dying she bade me seek her elsewhere；
for certainly I should find her。 Doubtless she meant beyond the
shores of deathor perhaps she also dreamed。〃
She bent her head； looking at me very strangely。
〃Your wife； too； may have had the gift of dreams； Humphrey。 As
you dream and I dream； so mayhap she dreamed。 Of dreams； then；
let us say no more； since I think that they have served their
purpose； and all three of us understand。〃
Then I stretched out my arms； and next instant my head lay upon
her perfumed breast。 She lifted it and kissed me on the lips；
saying：
〃With this kiss again I give myself to you。 But oh！ Humphrey；
do not ask too much of the god of my people； Fate；〃 and she
looked me in the eyes and sighed。
〃What do you mean？〃 I asked； trembling。
〃Many； many things。 Among them； that happiness is not for
mortals； and remember that though my life began long ago； I am
mortal as you are； and that in eternity time makes no
difference。〃
〃And if so； Yva； what then？ Do we meet but to part？〃
〃Who said it？ Not I。 Humphrey； I tell you this。 Nor earth； nor
heaven； nor hell have any bars through which love cannot burst
its way towards reunion and completeness。 Only there must b