ious and delighted excitement.
The purple-fringed rim of the Monster had long overshadowed the whited
patch of rock; its grinding foot was scarce ten yards away. Oro made
more signs to Yva who, beneath the shelter of her shield, again bent
down and did something that I could not see. Then, as though her part
were played, she rose, drew the grey hood of her cloak all about her
face so that her eyes alone remained visible, took one step towards me
and in the broken English we had taught her, called into my ear.

"Humphrey, God you bless! Humphrey, we meet soon. Forget not me!"

She stepped back again before I could attempt to answer, and next
instant with a hideous, concentrated effort, Oro bending himself double,
thrust upon the rod, as I could see from his open mouth, shouting while
he thrust.

At the same moment, with a swift spring, Yva leapt immediately in
front of the lens or window, so that the metallic shield with which she
covered herself pressed against its substance.

Simultaneously Oro flung up his arms as though in horror.

Too late! The shutter fell and from behind it there sprang out a rush of
living flame. It struck on Yva's shield and expanded to right and left.
The insulated shield and garments that she wore seemed to resist it.
For a fraction of time she stood there like a glowing angel, wrapped in
fire.

Then she was swept outwards and upwards and at a little distance
dissolved like a ghost and vanished from our sight.

Yva was ashes! Yva was gone! The sacrifice was consummated!

And not in vain! Not in vain! On her poor breast she had received the
full blast of that hellish lightning flash. Yet whilst destroying, it
turned away from her, seeking the free paths of the air. So it came
about that its obstructed strength struck the foot of the travelling
gyroscope, diffused and did not suffice to thrust it that one necessary
inch on which depended the fate of half the world, or missing it
altogether, passed away on either side. Even so the huge, gleaming
mountain rocked and trembled. Once, twice, thrice, it bowed itself
towards us as though in majestic homage to greatness passed away. For a
second, too, its course was checked, and at the check the earth quaked
and trembled. Yes, then the world shook, and the blue globes of fire
went out, while I was thrown to the ground.

When they returned again, the flaming monster was once more sailing
majestically upon its way and down the accustomed left-