m. His eyes fell upon the rich and
varied spoils overhanging the Hall; broken swords were wrought into the
walls like mosaics; the flags of the conquered nations were draped in
their varied hues across the vaulted ceiling; but as he looked on all
these trophies of power, I saw him suddenly turn pale with rage, and
bite his lips until the blood followed the pressure of his teeth; but
then the whirling crowds caught him in their midst--violins, harps,
flutes and horns poured the reeling air into his dizzied brain--clouds
of incense intoxicated his senses--piled and mossy carpets luxuriously
yielded to the pressure of his feet--rainbow hues shifted gayly before
his dazzled eyes--until giddy, fascinated, stimulated, he sank upon a
pile of cushions, resting his hot temples in his burning palms, dreaming
of snowy hands and taper fingers, of azure eyes and cheeks like rose
leaves.

As he thus rested, I heard the bell heavily toll one; I felt that this
long night was in its darkest hour!

When he raised his eyes, he saw, through the long vista of the
illuminated apartments, the Throne of the Splendor of the Sun. It stood
above the moving sea of dancers; upon it sat the Autocrat of Life and
Death; and above him waved the canopy of flags torn from the dying
nations. The young man started, for he saw one among them dyed in gore,
and tattered into rags, and from its torn streamers, drop by drop, the
blood was ever falling; but no one saw or heeded it save himself. When
this sight fell upon his reeling gaze, he determined to repel with all
his force the allurements of temptation, and again his eye gleamed blue
and pure as it had done in the early morning.

A movement now began in the crowd. It dispersed, divided, and formed
into long lines upon the right and the left, leaving a wide, open
pathway through the whole length of the long vista of the apartments.
The Lord of the Palace descended from his Throne, and moved through the
living walls as if he were a God, while all prostrated themselves as he
passed along. He turned not aside, but went directly to the spot where
the young man was seated. Nearer and nearer he approached, wondrously
beautiful and strong. The young man rose and looked boldly into his
eyes. The Master of Life and Death did not frown upon him, but said
gently: 'Come, let us take a stroll together; I will show you the
wonders of my Palace!'

The youth stood as if transfixed to the spot, but the Lord of Life and