Page:Biagi - The Centaurians.djvu/228

 eyes. "His actions, teachings, were divine inspiration; but—He lived His life too early, and Himself ordained it should be shortened."

Gently I argued, trying to fulfill my promise to Centauri, but I struggled with a superior intellect, and like the brilliant woman she was she listened eagerly, attentively, complimenting me into believing my efforts had convinced her; then, with incomparable tact, she steered from the dangerous subject, and before aware of her intent, I was eloquently discussing the North Pole. Again I lived over that awful voyage, describing the vast dead regions, the insurmountable, smooth, perpendicular cliffs, and terrifying, unfathomable chasms, shadowed in sombre stillness; but when I reached the great, fiery pivot, horror overcame me and vividly I pictured our awful plight as we raced down the swaying mountain with the sea of boiling mass pursuing us and the whole world vibrating like a monstrous pendulum.

"And you dared this peril for science?" she asked.

"My comrades did," I answered quickly. "I searched for the greatest drawback to ambition and life lost value in a consuming desire."

Then I told of the wonderful vision that inspired such intense longings, and that I had worshipped her, months before the expedition.

"I adore you!" I whispered. "It is fate that brought us together—I will have you!"

She laughed softly, studying me through half-closed eyes, then told me from the first I had