Page:Artabanzanus (Ferrar, 1896).djvu/166

158 'how long will it be before you learn to obey my commands?'

I did as he required. He now began to speak, as if to himself, in a language which was quite strange to me. After uttering a few sentences, he addressed me again:

'Are your eyes shut?'

'They cannot be faster or closer, Doctor.'

Then he stamped energetically on the floor, and, behold! a flood of brilliant light, splendid to me even through my closed eyelids, illuminated the place.

'Open them now cautiously,' he whispered; and immediately added in a loud voice, 'These be thy gods, oh Israel!'

Completely dazzled by the unexpected glare which now assailed me, I was obliged to put my hand over my face. The fixed and unmistakable evidence of sight is before me still, and never will it be effaced. My conductor and I stood side by side in a very large cave or hall, furnished like a magnificent drawing-room, with a number of handsome lamps burning on tables, giving forth brilliant light of a pale red colour. Around the walls, and in deep recesses, were seated several figures of ladies and gentlemen, in various life-like attitudes, and under a lofty canopy at one end were enthroned four ladies and two gentlemen, and at their feet sat two lovely children—a boy and a girl.

'Father, mother, Agnes, Mr. St. Clair—! let me introduce Mr. Oliver Ubertus, a stranger from the surface of the earth, and an esteemed friend of mine. Bid him welcome!' said the Doctor with becoming gravity. And when I bowed low, and fully expected them to return my salutation, not one of them spoke a word or moved.

After a few moments spent in silently contemplating the lovely group, he turned to me and said: 'This is my private retreat, my oratory, drawing-room, treasure-house, exhibition,