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not understood。 He then took me by the hand and led me in silence to the
building。 The entrance was open… indeed there was no door to it。 We
entered an immense hall； lighted by the same kind of lustre as in the scene
without； but diffusing a fragrant odour。 The floor was in large tesselated
blocks of precious metals； and partly covered with a sort of matlike
14carpeting。 A strain of low music； above and around； undulated as if
from invisible instruments； seeming to belong naturally to the place； just
as the sound of murmuring waters belongs to a rocky landscape； or the
warble of birds to vernal groves。
A figure in a simpler garb than that of my guide； but of similar fashion；
was standing motionless near the threshold。 My guide touched it twice
with his staff； and it put itself into a rapid and gliding movement；
skimming noiselessly over the floor。 Gazing on it； I then saw that it was
no living form； but a mechanical automaton。 It might be two minutes
after it vanished through a doorless opening； half screened by curtains at
the other end of the hall； when through the same opening advanced a boy
of about twelve years old； with features closely resembling those of my
guide； so that they seemed to me evidently son and father。 On seeing me
the child uttered a cry； and lifted a staff like that borne by my guide； as if
in menace。 At a word from the elder he dropped it。 The two then
conversed for some moments； examining me while they spoke。 The
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child touched my garments； and stroked my face with evident curiosity；
uttering a sound like a laugh； but with an hilarity more subdued that the
mirth of our laughter。 Presently the roof of the hall opened； and a
platform descended； seemingly constructed on the same principle as the
'lifts' used in hotels and warehouses for mounting from one story to
another。
The stranger placed himself and the child on the platform； and
motioned to me to do the same； which I did。 We ascended quickly and
safely； and alighted in the midst of a corridor with doorways on either
side。
Through one of these doorways I was conducted into a chamber fitted
up with an oriental splendour； the walls were tesselated with spars； and
metals； and uncut jewels； cushions and divans abounded； apertures as for
windows but unglazed； were made in the chamber opening to the floor；
and as I passed along I 15observed that these openings led into spacious
balconies； and commanded views of the illumined landscape without。 In
cages suspended from the ceiling there were birds of strange form and
bright plumage； which at our entrance set up a chorus of song； modulated
into tune as is that of our piping bullfinches。 A delicious fragrance； from
censers of gold elaborately sculptured； filled the air。 Several automata；
like the one I had seen； stood dumb and motionless by the walls。 The
stranger placed me beside him on a divan and again spoke to me； and
again I spoke； but without the least advance towards understanding each
other。
But now I began to feel the effects of the blow I had received from the
splinters of the falling rock more acutely that I had done at first。
There came over me a sense of sickly faintness； accompanied with
acute； lancinating pains in the head and neck。 I sank back on the seat and
strove in vain to stifle a groan。 On this the child； who had hitherto
seemed to eye me with distrust or dislike； knelt by my side to support me；
taking one of my hands in both his own； he approached his lips to my
forehead； breathing on it softly。 In a few moments my pain ceased； a
drowsy； heavy calm crept over me； I fell asleep。
How long I remained in this state I know not； but when I woke I felt
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The Coming Race
perfectly restored。 My eyes opened upon a group of silent forms； seated
around me in the gravity and quietude of Orientals… all more or less like
the first stranger； the same mantling wings； the same fashion of garment；
the same sphinx…like faces； with the deep dark eyes and red man's colour；
above all； the same type of race… race akin to man's； but infinitely stronger
of form and grandeur of aspect… and inspiring the same unutterable feeling
of dread。 Yet each countenance was mild and tranquil； and even kindly
in expression。 And； strangely enough； it seemed to me that in this very
calm and benignity consisted the secret of the dread which the
countenances inspired。 They seemed as void of the lines and shadows
which care and sorrow； and passion and sin； 16leave upon the faces of
men； as are the faces of sculptured gods； or as； in the eyes of Christian
mourners； seem the peaceful brows of the dead。
I felt a warm hand on my shoulder； it was the child's。 In his eyes
there was a sort of lofty pity and tenderness； such as that with which we
may gaze on some suffering bird or butterfly。 I shrank from that touch… I
shrank from that eye。 I was vaguely impressed with a belief that； had he
so pleased； that child could have killed me as easily as a man can kill a
bird or a butterfly。 The child seemed pained at my repugnance； quitted
me； and placed himself beside one of the windows。 The others continued
to converse with each other in a low tone； and by their glances towards me
I could perceive that I was the object of their conversation。 One in
especial seemed to be urging some proposal affecting me on the being
whom I had first met； and this last by his gesture seemed about to assent to
it； when the child suddenly quitted his post by the window； placed himself
between me and the other forms； as if in protection； and spoke quickly and
eagerly。 By some intuition or instinct I felt that the child I had before so
dreaded was pleading in my behalf。 Ere he had