I avoided my travelling companions.  Their worldly conversation jarred on the mood I was in, and I preferred my own thoughts to their pursuits.  As my sole desire was to hear about Alumion, and if possible to see her again, I courted the society of Dinus and Otare.  I knew, of course, that in ten days she would return to her family, but I thought I might be able to visit the temple and perhaps get a glimpse of her.  However, I learned from her father that during the sacred festival the temple was closed to the outer world.  It was not indeed forbidden to land on the holy island, but it was considered a sacrilege for anyone not having business there to enter the precincts of the temple, excepting on the day of the ceremony which had just taken place.  While bound to respect this taboo, I was, nevertheless, drawn by an irresistible attraction to the island, where I frequently spent hours in sailing about the wooded shores, or loitering in the sacred avenue, hoping against hope that I might see her passing by or in the distance.  Although I was not so fortunate, I enjoyed the satisfaction of being nearer to her, and as the island seemed a perfect solitude, I could indulge my reverie in peace.

At last I made a discovery.  In describing the ceremony of the Flower, Otare had spoken of a sacred grotto where the priestess went to bathe, and on questioning him further, I ascertained that it was situated on the shore of the island in a bay or inlet to the eastward of the quay, and that she took her customary bath at set of sun.

That afternoon I made a thorough search and found a cavern in the rock close to the beach of a secluded cove which I had overlooked until then.  A footpath, winding down the mountain side through the forest led to its mouth, which was overhung and almost hid by a rich creeper with large crimson blossoms.  It was evidently the spot mentioned by Otare, but wishing to make sure, and impelled by curiosity in spite of a more hallowed feeling, I lifted the creeper and was about to peer into the darkness, when a sudden noise within made me jump back with affright.  It was the most horrible and excruciating shriek I had ever heard in my life.  If anyone by a refinement of cruelty were to compound a torture for the ears, I do not think he could produce anything half so piercing, gruesome, and discordant.

It seemed the cry of an animal—­a wild beast—­and I began to think I was mistaken in the place; but the sun was near its setting now, and it was too late to seek further afield.  I therefore returned to my boat and withdrew under the overarching boughs of some trees where I could see without being seen.

I had not long to wait.  Between the flowering shrubs I noticed that a figure—­a woman by her undulating grace—­was coming down the path.  A thin wrap or veil of changing stuff, with gleams of azure and fiery red, was flung about her person.  Presently she stepped upon the beach into the mellow gloaming, and stood like a statue, with her eyes bent on the sinking orb, which threw a trail of splendour across the lake.