Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/295

 marriage. Thus, on the urn that Utis, according to custom, had provided for himself some years before, were exquisitely cut portraits of himself and Ulmene. On the reverse were deeply cut their names, the dates of their respective births, that of their marriage: spaces still vacant were destined for the final dates.

"You see," said Utis, pointing with a grave smile to the long series of unoccupied consoles, about half the number, "there is yet room for many generations. With the life-story of each of those who have gone before me, I am fairly familiar. But in certain moods I love to sit here and speculate upon the character and history of those destined to fill these vacant places. Are they as yet mere nothings? or, as the adherents of the varana believe, are they already on earth, working through their longenduring probation? The theory has charms," said he thoughtfully, as we left the apartment; "and I would fain believe it."