And thus replies to him His Own Law, shining, dove-eyed, loveliest: 'I am thy thoughts and works; I am thine own Law of thine own Self.

Thou art like me, and I am like thee in goodness, in beauty, in all that I appear to thee.

Beloved, come!' "And the soul of the pure man takes one step and is in the First Paradise, Humata; and takes a second step, and is in the Second Paradise, Hukhta; and takes a third step, and is in the Third Paradise, Hvarsta.
"And takes one last step into the Eternal Lights for ever." His haggard eyes were still fixed vacantly on the printed page, but he saw nothing now.

Something in the still air of the room had arrested his attention--something faintly fresh--an evanescent hint of perfume.
Suddenly the blood surged up in his face; he half rose, turned where he lay and looked back at the letter on the floor.

"Damn it," he said.