A world once considered of enduring stability had crashed fearsomely about the ears of Winona Penniman and Wilbur Cowan.

After this no support was to be trusted, however seemingly stout.

Old foundations had crumbled, old institutions perished, the walls of Time itself lay wrecked.

They stared across the appalling desolation with frightened eyes.

What next?
In a world to be ruined at a touch, like a house of cards, what vaster ruin would ensue?
It did not shock Wilbur Cowan that nations should plunge into another madness the very day after a certain fair one, mentioned in his meditations as "My Pearl--My Pearl of great price," and eke--from the perfume label--"My Heart of Flowers," had revealed herself but a mortal woman with an eye for the good provider.