Another moment in the air of that chamber and you had been a corpse." "Then of what nature was the knowledge that you, once mortal like myself, could safely have sought in that icy atmosphere, which it was death for me to breathe?
Mejnour," continued Glyndon, and his wild desire, sharpened by the very danger he had passed, once more animated and nerved him, "I am prepared at least for the first steps.

I come to you as of old the pupil to the Hierophant, and demand the initiation." Mejnour passed his hand over the young man's heart,--it beat loud, regularly, and boldly.

He looked at him with something almost like admiration in his passionless and frigid features, and muttered, half to himself, "Surely, in so much courage the true disciple is found at last." Then, speaking aloud, he added, "Be it so; man's first initiation is in TRANCE.

In dreams commences all human knowledge; in dreams hovers over measureless space the first faint bridge between spirit and spirit,--this world and the worlds beyond! Look steadfastly on yonder star!" Glyndon obeyed, and Mejnour retired into the chamber, from which there then slowly emerged a vapour, somewhat paler and of fainter odour than that which had nearly produced so fatal an effect on his frame.

This, on the contrary, as it coiled around him, and then melted in thin spires into the air, breathed a refreshing and healthful fragrance.