ned myself up to my full
height with as much dignity as I could assume, folded my arms across my
chest and awaited her orders.

"The Sagemen never urged their desires by a command," replied Arletta,
"they simply requested that which they would like to have done. The
request I shall make concerning your future duty can be incorporated in
a very few words, but it will require a lifetime and great strength of
character to execute. But as you have promised like a man to follow my
instructions, I shall die with implicit confidence in your determination
to do so. So consider well the following mandate, for it contains the
essence which will stimulate you to heroic deeds:

"Always consult your soul for advice,

"Do no act your conscience will not sanction."

Three times Arletta slowly repeated this precept, and then placing her
hands upon my shoulders, she continued: "The first time you act contrary
to the admonition of your soul, then you will have broken your promise
to me. Now go," said she, turning me about until I faced the doorway, "I
must request your immediate departure. Go, and try to be a man. We shall
meet many times in the future, so while you have the chance try and make
better the conditions of life, that we may eventually meet on the same
plane of equality without the shadow of strife or animosity to mar our
happiness. Good-bye."

With the meaning of these words ringing in my head, I fully understood
that my audience with Arletta was at an end, and overcome with grief and
gloom I weakly responded, "good-bye," and then added, "I shall never
break my promise." Then with a heavy tread I walked to the opening
through which I had entered, turned half around and took one long, last,
loving look at Arletta and passed into the corridor beyond. At the same
time I fancied I heard her gently sobbing.

CHAPTER XXII

Suffering with a dejected feeling of despair, I wended my way through
the chaotic anterior hall in search of the hole through which I had so
miraculously entered. It seemed as if life's sole aim had suddenly been
stricken from the range of my vision. I could not understand why nature
should be so cruel as to give me but one momentary glimpse of that
angelic mortal and then thrust me away from her in such an indifferent
manner. I wondered why the world was not populated exclusively by such
lovely beings. Was it because the people themselves, through their
individual accumulative system, created conditions