Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/299

 what I have been trying to tell you since it occurred. that moment when Ismar seemed to experience some startling recognition in regard to me, I, too, felt a strange conviction come over me, that we had met in some far-distant past, and had enacted an almost similar scene. I thought at the moment it must be"—Here she hesitated, did not complete her sentence, and saying, "It is full time for me to leave," within a minute could be seen careering down the road.

Mindful of our agreement, I had made no offer to accompany her, having received no sign to that effect. It seemed to me also not at all unlikely that she should desire some leisure for reflection upon what she had heard. Nor was my self-restraint unrewarded. After a good morning's work, Hulmar and I were, in due time, summoned to the dining-room. With inexpressible satisfaction, I marked a sprig of eglantine in the bouquet before my place.

She desired to be taken to see Ialma. It may be imagined that I did not take the shortest route thither, nor was there any protest on the part of Reva against this undue lengthening of the way. Her attention was probably too pre-occupied for her to observe which way we were taking. She wanted to hear again all about Edith, and found question after question to put in regard to her. Having once for all accepted the belief that Edith was her former self, it may easily be imagined how interesting to her was every detail I could impart. Much as I had lengthened our route, she seemed greatly surprised when we had reached our destination.

"How quickly we have come! It seems as if I had dozens of questions yet."