Page:The Great Secret.djvu/160

144 They passed under the branches and leaves of trees that were familiar to them, also under others that were strange, yet all was a bewildering labyrinth of loveliness and intoxication to their newly-awakened senses. The air was balmy and not too hot for comfort, and they felt strangely lightsome and exhilarated, while the joy in each breast was perfect. Yes, they could rest for a time in this olden land of Hesperia. At present they wished for nothing more.

After a space of walking through this broad pathway, which was covered with the softest of sward, they saw the city spread out in front of them through the open gateways; the pillars and walls built of what appeared to be alabaster, and the streets bathed in the glow of the afternoon sun. A gentle rose hue prevailed everywhere, and tinged the marble or alabaster with its faint blush.

It was a city by the sea, for they saw the distant purple of the waters and the glister of the sun upon the minute ripples, for the street was straight from the gateway to the sea.

So they walked from the shadows of the garden into the glory of the golden sun, their eyes dazzled for a moment with the lustre.