They paused at the edge of the crystal tabling.

They turned.
There was a flashing as of a meteor bursting.

The globe had opened into that splendor of jewel fires before which had floated Norhala and Ruth.
I saw again the luminous ovals of sapphire, studding its golden zone, the mystic rose of pulsing, petal flame, the still core of incandescent ruby that was the heart of that rose.
Strangely I felt my own heart veer toward this--Thing; bowing before its beauty and its strength; almost worshiping! A shock of revulsion went through me.

I shot a quick, half frightened glance at Drake.

He was crouching dangerously close to the lip of the ledge, hands clasped and knuckles white with the intensity of his grip, eyes rapt, staring--upon the verge of worship even as I had been.
"Drake!" I thrust my elbow into his side brutally.