river, which grew narrower and narrower.  At last the boat came aground.  The strangers took their leave, and Zerina knocked against the cliff.  This opened like a door, and a female form, all red, assisted them to mount.  “Are you all brisk here?” inquired Zerina.  “They are just at work,” replied the other, “and happy as they could wish; indeed, the heat is very pleasant.”

They went up a winding stair, and on a sudden Mary found herself in a most resplendent hall, so that, as she entered, her eyes were dazzled by the radiance.  Flame-colored tapestry covered the walls with a purple glow; and when her eye had grown a little used to it, the stranger saw, to her astonishment, that, in the tapestry, there were figures moving up and down in dancing joyfulness, in form so beautiful, and of so fair proportions, that nothing could be seen more graceful; their bodies were as of red crystal, so that it appeared as if the blood were visible within them, flowing and playing in its courses.  They smiled on the stranger, and saluted her with various bows; but as Mary was about approaching nearer them, Zerina plucked her sharply back, crying:  “Thou wilt burn thyself, my little Mary, for the whole of it is fire.”

Mary felt the heat.  “Why do the pretty creatures not come out,” asked she, “and play with us?”

“As thou livest in the Air,” replied the other, “so are they obliged to stay continually in Fire, and would faint and languish if they left it.  Look now, how glad they are, how they laugh and shout; those down below spread out the fire-floods everywhere beneath the earth, and thereby the flowers, and fruits, and wine, are made to flourish; these red streams again are to run beside the brooks of water; and thus the fiery creatures are kept ever busy and glad.  But for thee it is too hot here; let us return to the garden.”

In the garden, the scene had changed since they left it.  The moonshine was lying on every flower; the birds were silent, and the children were asleep in complicated groups, among the green groves.  Mary and her friend, however, did not feel fatigue, but walked about in the warm summer night, in abundant talk, till morning.

When the day dawned, they refreshed themselves on fruit and milk, and Mary said:  “Suppose we go, by way of change, to the firs, and see how things look there?”

“With all my heart,” replied Zerina; “thou wilt see our watchmen, too, and they will surely please thee; they are standing up among the trees on the mound.”  The two proceeded through the flower-gardens by pleasant groves, full of nightingales; then they ascended vine-hills; and at last, after long following the windings of a clear brook, arrived at the firs and the height which bounded the domain.  “How does it come,” asked Mary, “that we have to walk so far here, when, without, the circuit is so narrow?”

“I know not,” said her friend; “but so it is.”