I looked about me.  We were in some cavernous place that could be but dimly seen, for here the light that flowed down the shaft from the upper caves where it was mysteriously created, scarcely shone, and often indeed was entirely cut off, when the ever-journeying stone was in the narrowest parts of the passage.  I could see, however, that this cavern stretched away both to right and left of us, while I felt that from the left, as we sat facing the shaft, there drew down a strong blast of fresh air which suggested that somewhere, however far away, it must open on to the upper world.  For the rest its bottom and walls seemed to be smooth as though they had been planed in the past ages by the action of cosmic forces.  Bickley noticed this the first and pointed it out to me.  We had little time to observe, however, for presently Yva said: 

“If you are rested, friends, I pray you light those lamps of yours, since we must walk a while in darkness.”

We did and started, still travelling downhill.  Yva walked ahead with me and Tommy who seemed somewhat depressed and clung close to our heels.  The other two followed, arguing strenuously about I know not what.  It was their way of working off irritation and alarms.

I asked Yva what was about to happen, for a great fear oppressed me.

“I am not sure, Beloved,” she answered in a sweet and gentle voice, “who do not know all Oro’s secrets, but as I think, great things.  We are now deep in the bowels of the world, and presently, perhaps, you will see some of its mighty forces whereof your ignorant races have no knowledge, doing their everlasting work.”

“Then how is it that we can breathe here?” I asked.  “Because this road that we are following connects with the upper air or used to do so, since once I followed it.  It is a long road and the climb is steep, but at last it leads to the light of the blessed sun, nor are there any pitfalls in the path.  Would that we might tread it together, Humphrey,” she added with passion, “and be rid of mysteries and the gloom, or that light which is worse than gloom.”

“Why not?” I asked eagerly.  “Why should we not turn and flee?”

“Who can flee from my father, the Lord Oro?” she replied.  “He would snare us before we had gone a mile.  Moreover, if we fled, by tomorrow half the world must perish.”

“And how can we save it by not flying, Yva?”

“I do not know, Humphrey, yet I think it will be saved, perchance by sacrifice.  That is the keystone of your faith, is it not?  Therefore if it is asked of you to save the world, you will not shrink from it, will you, Humphrey?”

“I hope not,” I replied, without enthusiasm, I admit.  Indeed it struck me that a business of this sort was better fitted to Bastin than to myself, or at any rate to his profession.  I think she guessed my thoughts, for by the light of the lamp I saw her smile in her dazzling way.  Then after a swift glance behind her, she turned and suddenly kissed me, as she did so calling down everlasting blessings on my head and on my spirit.  There was something very wonderful about this benediction of Yva’s and it thrilled me through and through, so that to it I could make no answer.