Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/259

 seeing that I had followed him. "We have done quite enough for one day. We may now fairly allow ourselves some relaxation. Did you ever read the remarkable history of Metis Telleth?"

I was obliged to acknowledge that I had never so much as heard of the name before. This was not so surprising when it is stated that the said Metis did not live till about the middle of the fifty-fourth century. Yet, for reasons that will presently appear, there were few books so generally known, or that had excited so much controversy.

"I thought not," said Hulmar, continuing to examine the backs of the numerous volumes on his shelves.

"That is why I have come here to seek a small volume that I have no doubt would prove of great interest to you. It is, however, a favorite of Reva's; and I may have to look for it among her books."

At this moment a call to the telephone sounded. After a brief conversation with the sender of the call, Hulmar announced to me that he would be detained for a short time, but would presently follow me to the garden. I may here mention, that the universal diffusion of telephonic communication was not an altogether unmixed advantage, especially to men of mark in any department of intellectual activity. A question could be answered with greater facility by telephone than by letter, it is true, but must be attended to at once, and might come at any moment.

Leaving Hulmar in conversation with his correspondent, I went in search of Reva. I found her in the garden, standing before her pet plant, absorbed, apparently, in a deep revery. From the slight, though almost impercep-