t there was a great awe upon her, and it might even
be said that she was afraid; but when she came out again she feared
nothing, but looked with clear eyes upon all she saw, loving them, but
no more overawed by them, having seen that which is above all. When she
came forth again to her common life--for it is not permitted save for
those who have attained the greatest heights to dwell there--she had no
longer need of any guide, but came alone, knowing where to go, and
walking where it pleased her, with reverence and a great delight in
seeing and knowing all that was around, but no fear. It was a great
city, but it was not like the great cities which she had seen. She
understood as she passed along how it was that those who had been
dazzled but by a passing glance had described the walls and the pavement
as gold. They were like what gold is, beautiful and clear, of a lovely
colour, but softer in tone than metal ever was, and as cool and fresh to
walk upon and to touch as if they had been velvet grass. The buildings
were all beautiful, of every style and form that it is possible to think
of, yet in great harmony, as if every man had followed his own taste,
yet all had been so combined and grouped by the master architect, that
each individual feature enhanced the effect of the rest. Some of the
houses were greater and some smaller, but all of them were rich in
carvings and pictures and lovely decorations, and the effect was as if
the richest materials had been employed, marbles and beautiful
sculptured stone, and wood of beautiful tints, though the little Pilgrim
knew that these were not like the marble and stone she had once known,
but heavenly representatives of them, far better than they. There were
people at work upon them, building new houses and making additions, and
a great many painters painting upon them the history of the people who
lived there, or of others who were worthy that commemoration. And the
streets were full of pleasant sound, and of crowds going and coming, and
the commotion of much business, and many things to do. And this
movement, and the brightness of the air, and the wonderful things that
were to be seen on every side, made the Pilgrim gay, so that she could
have sung with pleasure as she went along. And all who met her smiled,
and every group exchanged greetings as they passed along, all knowing
each other. Many of them, as might be seen, had come there, as she did,
to see the wonders of the beauti