ichstorm," said Gleameil.

Maskull asked no questions about it; but in turning to address her,
his eyes had rested on the rapidly receding Wombflash Forest, and he
continued to stare at that. They had travelled about eight miles,
and now he could better estimate the enormous height of the trees.
Overtopping them, far away, he saw Sant; and he fancied, but was not
quite sure, that he could distinguish Disscourn as well.

"Now that we are alone in a strange place," said Gleameil, averting her
head, and looking down over the side of the raft into the water, "tell
me what you thought of Polecrab."

Maskull paused before answering. "He seemed to me like a mountain
wrapped in cloud. You see the lower buttresses, and think that is all.
But then, high up, far above the clouds, you suddenly catch sight of
more mountain--and even then it is not the top."

"You read character well, and have great perception," remarked Gleameil
quietly. "Now say what I am."

"In place of a human heart, you have a wild harp, and that's all I know
about you."

"What was that you said to my husband about two worlds?"

"You heard."

"Yes, I heard. And I also am conscious of two worlds. My husband and
boys are real to me, and I love them fondly. But there is another world
for me, as there is for you, Maskull, and it makes my real world appear
all false and vulgar."

"Perhaps we are seeking the same thing. But can it be right to satisfy
our self-nature at the expense of other people?"

"No, it's not right. It is wrong, and base. But in that other world
these words have no meaning."

There was a silence.

"It's useless to discuss such topics," said Maskull. "The choice is now
out of our hands, and we must go where we are taken. What I would rather
speak about is what awaits us on the island."

"I am ignorant--except that we shall find Earthrid there."

"Who is Earthrid, and why is it called Swaylone's Island?"

"They say Earthrid came from Threal, but I know nothing else about him.
As for Swaylone, if you like I will tell you his legend."

"If you please," said Maskull.

"In a far-back age," began Gleameil, "when the seas were hot, and clouds
hung heavily over the earth, and life was rich with transformations,
Swaylone came to this island, on which men had never before set foot,
and began to play his music--the first music in Tormance. Nightly,
when the moon shone, people used to gather on this shore behind us,
and listen to the fain