GLASS TOWN
A few months afterwards the Duke of Strathelleraye determined to
visit that wonder of the world, the great city of Africa: the Glass
Town, of whose splendour, magnificence, and extent, strength and
riches, occasional tidings came from afar, wafted by breezes of the
ocean to Merry England.
But to most of the inhabitants of that little isle it bore the character
of a dream or gorgeous fiction. They were unable to comprehend how
mere human beings could construct fabrics of such a marvellous size
and grandeur as many of the public buildings were represented to
be; and as to the ‘Tower of all the Nations,’ few believed in its
existence. It seemed as the cities of old: Nineveh or Babylon with
the temples of their gods, Ninus or Jupiter Belus, and their halls
of Astarté and Semalt. These most people believe to be magnified
by the dim haze of intervening ages, and the exaggerating page of
history through which medium we behold them.
The duke, as he had received many invitations from the Glass Townians,
who were impatient to behold one whose renown had spread so far,
and who likewise possessed vast dominions near the African coast,
informed his lady, the Marquis of Tagus, and Lord Cornelius, that
in a month’s time he should take his departure with them, and that
he should expect them all to be prepared at that period, adding that
when they returned Marina Angus should be created Marchioness of
Tagus.
Though it was a bitter trial to Albion to part with one to whom he
was now so entirely devoted, yet, comforted by the last part of his
father’s speech, he obeyed without murmuring.
On the last evening of his stay in Strathelleraye he took a sad farewell
of Marina, who wept as if hopeless; but suddenly restraining her
griefs she looked up, with her beautiful eyes irradiated by a smile
that like a ray of light illumined the crystal tears, and whispered:
‘I shall be happy when you return.’
Then they parted; and Albion during his voyage over the wide ocean
often thought for comfort on her last words.
It is a common superstition that the words uttered by a friend on
separating are prophetic, and these certainly portended nothing but
peace.