I sat absorbed and half afraid.

“And to-night—?” I said, softly.

He rose from his chair and stood up to his full superb stature, looking down upon me with a certain mingling of kindness and pity.

“To-night,”—­he replied—­“we shall send for you!  You will confront the Brethren, as one who has passed the same mental test through which they are passing!  And you will face the last fear!  I do not think you will go back upon yourself—­I hope not—­I strongly desire you to keep your courage to the end!”

I ventured to touch his hand.

“And afterwards?” I queried.

He smiled.

“Afterwards—­Life and its secrets are all with you and Love!”

XX

INTO THE LIGHT

When I was left alone once more I gave myself up to the enchanting sense of perfect happiness that now seemed to possess my whole being.  The world of glorious Nature showed me an aspect of brilliancy and beauty that could no more be shadowed by fear or foreboding—­it was a mirror in which I saw reflected the perfect Mind of the Divine.  Nothing existed to terrify or daunt the advancing Soul which had become cognisant of its own capabilities, and which, by the very laws governing it, is preordained to rise to the utmost height of supernal power.  I had dimly guessed this truth--but I had never surely known it till now.  Now, I recognised that everything is and must be subservient to this interior force which exists to ’replenish the earth and subdue it’—­and that nothing can hinder the accomplishment of its resolved Will.  As I sat by the window thinking and dreaming, I began to wonder what would be the nature of that ‘last fear’ of which Aselzion had spoken?  Why should the word ‘fear’ be mentioned, when there was no cause for fear of any kind?  Fear can only arise from a sense of cowardice,—­and cowardice is the offspring of weakness.  From this argument it followed that my strength was not yet thoroughly tested to Aselzion’s satisfaction,—­that he still thought it possible that some latent weakness in my spirit might display itself on further trial.  And I resolved that if such was his idea, he should be proved wrong.  Nothing, I vowed, should move me now—­not all the world arrayed in arms against me should hinder my advance towards the completion of myself in the love of my Beloved!

I have already said that there was no visible chronicle of time in the House of Aselzion, save such as was evidenced by the broadening or waning light of day.  Just now I knew it was late afternoon, as the window where I sat faced the west, and the sun was sinking in a blaze of glory immediately opposite to me.  Bars of gold and purple and pale blue formed a kind of cloud gateway across the heavens, and behind this the splendid orb shone in a halo of deep rose.  Watching the royal pageantry of colour on all sides, I allowed myself to go forth as it were in spirit