if He is merciful, He will
never again give substance to that hybrid idea called Man; or, if He
does, He will let the poor wretch be happy with apples and pears--I mean
trivial joys; for all higher joys, be they what they may, are vanity and
vexation. . . . Give me another draught. Ah, that is good! And to-morrow is
the end. I could find it in my heart to regret the good gifts of Dionysus
myself; it is better than apples and pears; next to that comes the joy
that Eros bestows on mortals, and there must be an end to all that, too.
That, however, is above the level of apples and pears. It is great, very
great happiness, and mingled therefor with bitter sorrow. Rapture and
anguish--who can lay down the border line that divides them? Smiles and
tears alike belong to both. And you are weeping? Aye, aye--poor child!
Come here and kiss me." Damia drew the head of the kneeling girl close to
her bosom and pressed her lips to Gorge's brow. Presently, however, she
relaxed her embrace and, looking about the room, she exclaimed:

"How you have mixed and upset the book-rolls! If only I could show you
how clearly everything agrees and coincides. We know now exactly how it
will all happen. By the day after to-morrow there will be no more earth,
no more sky; and I will tell you this, child: If, when Serapis falls, the
universe does not crumble to pieces like a ruinous hovel, then the wisdom
of the Magians is a lie, the course of the stars has nothing to do with
the destinies of the earth and its inhabitants, the planets are mere
lamps, the sun is no more than a luminous furnace, the old gods are
marsh-fires, emanations from the dark bog of men's minds--and the great
Serapis. . . . But why be angry with him? There is no doubt--no if nor
but. . . . Give me the diptychon and I will show you our doom. There--just
here--my sight is so dazzled, I cannot make it out.--And if I could, what
matter? Who can alter here below what has been decided above? Leave me to
sleep now, and I will explain it all to you to-morrow if there is still
time. Poor child, when I think how we have tormented you to learn what
you know, and how industrious you have been! And now--to what end? I ask
you, to what end? The great gulf will swallow up one and all."

"So be it, so be it!" cried Gorgo interrupting her. "Then, at any rate,
nothing that I love on earth will be lost to me before I die!"

"And the enemy will perish in the same ruin!" continued Damia, her eyes
s