Gradually the rage of the combatants subsided.  Those who were able withdrew with those of their companions who were disabled, leaving the prostrate forms of the dead and dying.

And now the music portrayed the rising of the wind, the falling of rain, the roar of thunder.  This was succeeded by low, plaintive strains, as of people weeping, and a party of elves in the garb of monks headed a procession bearing lighted tapers and carrying biers, upon which they placed the inanimate forms of the warriors.  Slowly they paced about, chanting in low tones, and constantly accompanied by the funeral dirge of the musicians.

And now to Leo’s almost overtaxed vision came a picture of a lonely graveyard in the mountains, where the procession stopped.  Even as he looked it faded away; the sun streamed forth, shining upon a field of grain where merry reapers swung their scythes and sang with glee.  Trees sprouted from fissures in the rock, birds flew about and perched undismayed, and little hay-carts, piled high with their loads, came creaking along, led by peasant elves, who were also seated on top of their fragrant heaps of hay.  Then the sun beamed upon a party of drovers—­elves in smock-frocks or blouses, driving flocks of sheep and horned cattle, while the bleating of the sheep and the blowing of the cattle were well imitated by the music.  All this was succeeded by vineyards, grape trellises, and arbors, with busy elves gathering the fruit which hung in purple clusters, and beneath the arbors other elves rattling castanets, beating tambourines, and dancing.

Again the scene changed.  Snow fell; the birds disappeared; the tree boughs were glittering with ice, and were bending over a wide field of the same glassy substance.  On it were elves in bright costumes, merrily skating.  They glided about, cutting curious figures, pausing to bend and bow to each other, or to warm themselves at bonfires blazing on the banks.

Then night came again, and the darkness was only broken by twinkling stars.  The music became softer and more plaintive; it sounded like little flutes.

A church tower loomed up, and then a blaze of light issued from its arched doors.  Two by two, in white array, came forth the elves, and from the floating veils Leo saw that it was meant to represent a bridal procession.  Garlands were on their arms, and ribbons fluttered from their caps.  Roses were strewn in their path.

Again, these were followed by a company of elves in the habit of nuns and Sisters of Charity.  The music became a hymn.  The church grew dark and vanished.  The space filled again with shadowy forms, as if all the little actors had poured in.  The sound of their coming was like that of a bevy of birds with wings fluttering.  Suddenly a starry cross appeared; it flashed and flamed with a light which was as if it were composed of myriads of gems, and then a clear radiance streamed from it, revealing the whole multitude of elves kneeling in devotion.  This lasted but a few moments, and again all was still and dark, and Leo was alone.