The man he thus addressed hesitated as though he had something more to say—­then with a deep obeisance went back to his place.  Aselzion waited till he was seated—­and after the brief interval spoke again--

“If all of you here present are content with your rule of life in this place, and with the studies you are undertaking, and none of you wish to leave, I ask for the usual sign.”

All the brethren rose, and raised their arms above their heads—­ dropping them slowly again after a second’s pause.

“Enough!” and Aselzion now moved towards the Cross and Star, fronting it fully.  As he did so, I saw to my astonishment and something of terror that the rays proceeding from the centre of the Symbol flamed out to an extraordinary length, surrounding his whole figure and filling the chapel with a lurid brilliancy as though it were suddenly on fire.  Straight into the centre of the glowing flames he steadily advanced—­then, at a certain point, turned again and faced his followers.  But what an aspect now was his!  The light about him seemed to be part of his very body and garments—­he was transfigured into the semblance of something god-like and angelic—­ and I was overcome with fear and awe as I looked upon him.  Lifting one hand, he made the sign of the cross,—­whereat the white-robed brethren descended from their places, and walking one by one in line, came up to him where he stood.  He spoke—­and his voice rang out like a silver clarion—­

“O Divine Light!” he exclaimed—­“We are a part of Thee, and into Thee we desire to become absorbed!  From Thee we know we may obtain an immortality of life upon this gracious earth!  O Nature, beloved Mother, whose bosom burns with hidden fires of strength, we are thy children, born of thee in spirit as in matter,—­in us thou hast distilled thy rains and dews, thy snows and frosts, thy sunlight and thy storm!—­in us thou hast embodied thy prolific beauty, thy productiveness, thy power and thy advancement towards good—­and more than all thou hast endowed us with the divine passion of Love which kindles the fire whereof thou art created and whereby we are sustained!  Take us, O Light!  Keep us, O Nature!—­and Thou, O God, Supreme Spirit of Love, whose thought is Flame, and whose desire is Creation, be Thou our guide, supporter and instructor through all worlds without end!  Amen!”

Once more the glorious music of the organ surged through the chapel like a storm,—­and I, trembling in every limb, knelt, covering my veiled face closely with my hands, overcome by the splendour of the sound and the strangeness of the scene.  Gradually, very gradually, the music died away—­a deep silence followed—­and when I lifted my head, the chapel was empty!  Aselzion and his disciples had vanished, noiselessly, as though they had never been present.  Only the Cross and Star still remained glittering against its dark purple background—­darting out long tremulous rays, some of which were pale violet, others crimson, others of the delicate hues of the pink topaz.