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number countless。 But how describe the fantastic grace of these forms in
their undulating movements！ They appeared engaged in some sport or
amusement； now forming into opposite squadrons； now scattering； now
each group threading the other； soaring； descending； interweaving；
severing； all in measured time to the music below； as if in the dance of the
fabled Peri。
I turned my gaze on my host in a feverish wonder。 I ventured to
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place my hand on the large wings that lay folded on his breast； and in
doing so a slight shock as of electricity passed through me。 I recoiled in
fear； my host smiled； and as if courteously to gratify my curiosity； slowly
expanded his pinions。 I observed that his garment beneath them became
dilated as a bladder that fills with air。 The arms seemed to slide into the
wings； and in another moment he had launched himself into the luminous
atmosphere； and hovered there； still； and with outspread wings； as an eagle
that basks in the sun。 Then； rapidly as an eagle swoops； he rushed
downwards into the midst of one of the groups； skimming through the
midst； and as suddenly again soaring aloft。 Thereon； three forms； in one
of which I thought to recognise my host's daughter； detached themselves
from the rest； and followed him as a bird sportively follows a bird。 My
eyes； dazzled with the lights and bewildered by the throngs； ceased to
distinguish the gyrations and evolutions of these winged playmates； till
presently my host re…emerged from the crowd and alighted at my side。
The strangeness of all I had seen began now to operate fast on my
senses； my mind itself began to wander。 Though not inclined 22to be
superstitious； nor hitherto believing that man could be brought into bodily
communication with demons； I felt the terror and the wild excitement with
which； in the Gothic ages； a traveller might have persuaded himself that he
witnessed a 'sabbat' of fiends and witches。 I have a vague recollection of
having attempted with vehement gesticulation； and forms of exorcism； and
loud incoherent words； to repel my courteous and indulgent host； of his
mild endeavors to calm and soothe me； of his intelligent conjecture that
my fright and bewilderment were occasioned by the difference of form
and movement between us which the wings that had excited my
marvelling curiosity had； in exercise； made still more strongly perceptible；
of the gentle smile with which he had sought to dispel my alarm by
dropping the wings to the ground and endeavouring to show me that they
were but a mechanical contrivance。 That sudden transformation did but
increase my horror； and as extreme fright often shows itself by extreme
daring； I sprang at his throat like a wild beast。 On an instant I was felled
to the ground as by an electric shock； and the last confused images floating
before my sight ere I became wholly insensible； were the form of my host
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kneeling beside me with one hand on my forehead； and the beautiful calm
face of his daughter； with large； deep； inscrutable eyes intently fixed upon
my own。
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CHAPTER VI。
I remained in this unconscious state； as I afterwards learned； for
many days； even for some weeks according to our computation of time。
When I recovered I was in a strange room； my host and all his family were
gathered round me； and to my utter amaze my host's daughter accosted me
in my own language with a slightly foreign accent。
〃How do you feel？〃 she asked。
23It was some moments before I could overcome my surprise enough
to falter out； 〃You know my language？ How？ Who and what are you？〃
My host smiled and motioned to one of his sons； who then took from a
table a number of thin metallic sheets on which were traced drawings of
various figures… a house； a tree； a bird； a man； &c。
In these designs I recognised my own style of drawing。 Under each
figure was written the name of it in my language； and in my writing； and
in another handwriting a word strange to me beneath it。
Said the host； 〃Thus we began； and my daughter Zee； who belongs to
the College of Sages； has been your instructress and ours too。〃
Zee then placed before me other metallic sheets； on which； in my
writing； words first； and then sentences； were inscribed。 Under each
word and each sentence strange characters in another hand。 Rallying my
senses； I comprehended that thus a rude dictionary had been effected。
Had it been done while I was dreaming？ 〃That is enough now；〃 said Zee；
in a tone of command。 〃Repose and take food。〃
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CHAPTER VII。
A room to myself was assigned to me in this vast edifice。 It was
prettily and fantastically arranged； but without any of the splendour of
metal…work or gems which was displayed in the more public apartments。
The walls were hung with a variegated matting made from the stalks and
fibers of plants； and the floor carpeted with the same。
The bed was without curtains； its supports of iron resting on balls of
crystal； the coverings； of a thin white substance resembling cotton。
There were sundry shelves containing books。 24A curtained recess
communicated with an aviary filled with singing… birds； of which I did not
recognise one resembling those I have seen on earth； except a beautiful
species of dove； though this was distinguished from our doves by a tall
crest of bluish plumes。 All these birds had been trained to sing in artful
tunes； and greatly exceeded the skill of our piping bullfinches； which can
rarely achieve more than two tunes； and cannot； I believe； sing those in
concert。 One might have supposed one's self at an opera in listening to
the voices in my aviary。 There were duets and trios； and quartetts and
choruses； all arranged as in one piece of music。 Did I want silence from
the birds？ I had but to draw a curtain over the aviary； and their song
hushed as they found themselves left in the dark。 Another opening
formed a window； not glazed； but on touching a spring； a shutter ascended
from the floor； formed of some substance less transparent than glass； but
still sufficiently pellucid to allow a softened view of the scene without。
To this window was attached a balcony； or rather hanging garden； wherein
grew many graceful plants and brilliant flowers。 The apartment and its
appurtenances had thus a character； if strange in detail； still familiar； as a
whole； to modern notions of luxury； and would have excited admiration