The moon rose slowly between two bars of dark cloud which gradually
whitened into silver beneath her shining presence, and a scintillating
pathway of diamond-like reflections began to spread itself across the
sea. I remained at the window, feeling an odd disinclination to turn
away into the darkness of my room. And I began to think that perhaps it
was rather hard that I should be left all by myself locked up in this
way;--surely I might have been allowed a light of some sort! Then I at
once reproached myself for allowing the merest suggestion of a
complaint to enter my mind, for, after all, I was an uninvited guest in
the House of Aselzion--I was not wanted--and I remembered the order
that had been issued concerning me: 'The moment she desires to leave,
every facility for departure is to be granted to her.' I was much more
afraid of this 'facility for departure' than I was of my present
solitude, and I determined to look upon the whole adventure in the best
and most cheerful light. If it was best I should be alone, then
loneliness was good--if it was necessary I should be in darkness, then
darkness was also agreeable to me.
Scarcely had I thus made up my mind to these conditions when my room
was suddenly illumined by a soft yet effulgent radiance-and I started
up in amazement, wondering where it came from. I could see no lamps or
electric burners,--it was as if the walls glowed with some surface
luminance. When my first surprise had passed, I was charmed and
delighted with the warm and comforting brightness around me,--it rather
reminded me of the electric brilliancy on the sails of the 'Dream.' I
moved away from the window, leaving it open, as the night was very
close and warm, and sat down at the table to read a little, but after a
few minutes laid the book aside to listen to a strange whispering music
that floated towards me, apparently from the sea, and thrilled me to
the soul. No eloquent description could give any idea of the
enthralling sweetness of the harmonies that were more BREATHED upon the
air than sounded--and I became absorbed in following the rhythm of the
delicious cadences as they rose and fell. Then by degrees my thoughts
wandered away to Rafel Santoris,--where was he now?--in what peaceful
expanse of shining waters had his fairy vessel cast anchor? I pictured
him in my brain till I could almost see his face,--the broad brow,--the
fearless, tender eyes and smile--and I could fancy that I heard the
deep, soft accents of his voice, always so gentle when he spoke to
me--me, who had half resented his influence! And a quick wave of long
pent-up tenderness rose in my heart--my whole soul ran out, as it were,
to greet him with outstretched arms--I knew in my own consciousness
that he was more than all the world to me, and I said aloud:--"My
beloved, I love you! I love you!" to the silence, almost as if I
thought it could convey the words to him whom most I desired to hear
them.
Then I felt how foolish and futile it was to talk to the empty air when
I might have confessed myself to the real lover of my life face to
face, had I been less sceptical,--less proud! Was not my very journey
to the House of Aselzion a testimony of my own doubting attitude?--for
I had come, as I now admitted to myself, first to make sure that
Aselzion really existed--and secondly, to prove to my own satisfaction
that he was truly able to impart the mystical secrets which Rafel
seemed to know. I wearied myself out at last with thinking to no
purpose, and closing the window I undressed and went to bed. As I lay
down, the light in my room was suddenly extinguished, and all was
darkness again except for the moon, which sent a clear white ray
straight through the lattice, there being no curtain to shut it out.
For some time I remained awake on my hard little couch, looking at this
ray, and steadily refusing to allow any sense of fear or loneliness to
gain the mastery over me--the music which had so enchanted me
ceased--and everything was perfectly still. And by and by my eyes
closed--my tired limbs relaxed,--and I fell into a sound and dreamless
sleep.
When I awoke it was full morning, and the sunshine poured into my room
like a shower of gold. I sprang up, full of delight that the night had
passed so peacefully and that nothing strange or terrifying had
occurred, though I do not know why I should have expected this.
Everything seemed wonderfully fresh and beautiful in the brightness of
the new day, and the very plainness of my room had a fascination
greater than any amount of luxury. The only unusual thing I noticed was
that the soft cold water with which my bath was supplied sparkled as
though it were effervescent,--once or twice it seemed to ripple with a
diamond-like foam, and it was never actually still. I watched its
glittering movement for some minutes before bathing--then, feeling
certain it was charged with some kind of electricity, I plunged into it
without hesitation and enjoyed to the utmost the delicious sense of
invigoration it gave me. When my toilet was completed and I had attired
myself in a simple morning gown of white linen, as being more suitable
to the warmth of the weather than the black one I had travelled in, I
went to throw open my window and let in all the freshness of the
sea-air, and was surprised to see a small low door open in the side of
the turret, through which I discovered a winding stair leading
downward. Yielding to the impulse of the moment, I descended it, and at
the end found myself in an exquisite little rock garden abutting on the
seashore. I could actually open a gate, and walk to the very edge of
the sea. I was no longer a prisoner, then!--I could run away if I chose!
I looked about me--and smiled as I saw the impossibility of any escape.
The little garden belonged exclusively to the turret, and on each side
of it impassable rocks towered up almost to the height of the Chateau
d'Aselzion itself, while the bit of shore on which I stood was equally
hemmed in by huge boulders against which the waves had dashed for
centuries without making much visible impression. Yet it was delightful
to feel I was allowed some liberty and open air, and I stayed for some
minutes watching the sea and revelling in the warmth of the southern
sun. Then I retraced my steps slowly, looking everywhere about me as I
went, to see if there was anyone near. Not a soul was in sight.
I returned to my room to find my bed made as neatly as though it had
never been slept upon,--and my breakfast, consisting of a cup of milk
and some wheaten biscuits, set out upon the table. I was quite ready
for the meal, and enjoyed it. When I had finished, I took my empty cup
and plate and put them on the dresser in the niche, whereupon the
dresser was instantly lowered, and very soon disappeared. Then I began
to wonder how I should employ myself. It was no use writing letters,
though I had my own travelling desk ready for this purpose,--I did not
wish my friends or acquaintances to know where I was--and even if I had
written to any of them it was hardly likely that my correspondence
would ever reach them. For I felt sure the mystic Brotherhood of
Aselzion would not allow me to communicate with the outside world so
long as I remained with them. I sat meditating,--and I began to
consider that several days passed thus aimlessly would be difficult to
bear. I could not keep correct count of time, my watch having stopped,
and there was no clock or chime of any sort in the place that I could
hear. The stillness around me would have been oppressive but for the
soft dash of little waves breaking on the beach below my window. All at
once, to my great joy, the door of my room opened, and the personage
called Honorius entered. He bent his head slightly by way of
salutation, and then said briefly,--
"You are commanded to follow me."
I rose obediently, and stood ready. He looked at me intently and with
curiosity, as though he sought to read my mind. Remembering that
Aselzion had said I was not to speak unless spoken to, I only returned
his look steadfastly, and with a smile.
"You are not unhappy, or afraid, or restless,"--he said, slowly--"That
is well! You are making a good beginning. And now, whatever you see or
hear, keep silence! If you desire to speak, speak now--but after we
leave this room not a word must escape your lips--not a single
exclamation,--your business is to listen, learn and obey!"
He waited--giving me the opportunity to say something in reply--but I
preferred to hold my peace. He then handed me a folded length of soft
white material, opaque, yet fine and silky as gossamer.
"Cover yourself with this veil,"--he said--"and do not raise it till
you return here."
I unfolded it and threw it quickly over me--it was as delicate as a
filmy cloud and draped me from head to foot, effectually concealing me
from the eyes of others though I myself could see through it perfectly.
Honorius then signed to me to follow, and I did so, my heart beating
quickly with excitement and expectation.
We went through many passages with intricate turnings that seemed to
have no outlet,--it was like threading one's way through a maze--till
at last I found myself shut within a small cell-like place with an
opening in front of me through which I gazed upon a strange and
picturesque scene. I saw the interior of a small but perfectly
beautiful Gothic chapel, exquisitely designed, and lit by numerous
windows of stained glass, through which the sunlight filtered in
streams of radiant colour, patterning with gold, crimson and blue, the
white marble flooring below. Between every tapering column that
supported the finely carved roof, were two rows of benches, one above
the other, and here sat an array of motionless white figures,--men in
the garb of their mysterious Order, their faces almost concealed by
their drooping cowls. There was no altar in this chapel,--but at its
eastern end where the altar might have been, was a dark purple curtain
against which blazed in brilliant luminance a Cross and Seven-pointed
Star. The rays of light shed by this uplifted Symbol of an unwritten
Creed were so vivid as to be almost blinding, and nearly eclipsed the
summer glory of the sun itself. Awed by the strange and silent
solemnity of my surroundings, I was glad to be hidden under the folds
of my enshrouding white veil, though I realised that I was in a sort of
secret recess made purposely for the use of those who were summoned to
see all that went on in the chapel without being seen. I waited, full
of eager anticipation,--and presently the low vibrating sound of the
organ trembled on the air, gradually increasing in volume and power
till a magnificent rush of music poured from it like a sudden storm
breaking through clouds. I drew a long breath of pure ecstasy,--I could
have knelt and wept tears of gratitude for the mere sense of hearing!
Such music was divine!--the very idea of mortality was swallowed up in
it and destroyed, and the imprisoned soul mounted up to the highest
life on wings of light, rejoicing!
When it ceased, as it did all too soon, there followed a profound
silence,--so profound that I could hear the quick beating of my own
heart as if I were the only living thing in the place. I turned my eyes
towards the dazzling Cross and Star with its ever darting rays of fiery
brilliancy, and the effect of its perpetual sparkle of lambent fire was
as if an electric current were giving off messages which no mortal
skill would ever be able to decipher or put into words, but which found
their way to one's deepest inward consciousness. All at once there was
a slight movement among the rows of white-garmented, white-cowled
figures hitherto sitting so motionless,--and with one accord they rose
to their feet as a figure, tall, stately and imposing, came walking
slowly across the chapel and stood directly in front of the flaming
Symbol, holding both hands outstretched as though invoking a blessing.
It was the Master, Aselzion,--Aselzion invested with such dignity and
splendour as I had never thought possible to man. He might have posed
for some god or hero,--his aspect was one of absolute power and calm
self-poise,--other men might entertain doubts of themselves at the
intention of their lives, but this one in his mere bearing expressed
sureness, strength and authority. He wore his cowl thrown back, and
from where I sat in my secluded corner I could see his features
distinctly, and could watch the flash of his fine steadfast eyes as he
turned them upon his followers. Keeping his hands extended, he said, in
a firm, clear voice:
"To the Creator of all things visible and invisible let us offer up our
gratitude and praise, and so begin this day!"
And a responsive murmur of voices answered him:
"We praise Thee, O Divine Power of Love and Life eternal!
We praise Thee for all we are!
We praise Thee for all we have been!
We praise Thee for all we hope to be!--Amen."
There followed a moment's tense silence. Then the assembled brethren
sat down in their places, and Aselzion spoke in measured, distinct
accents, with the easy and assured manner of a practised orator.
"Friends and Brethren!
"We are gathered here together to consider in this moment of time the
things we have done in the past, and the things we are preparing to do
in the future. We know that from the Past, stretching back into
infinity, we have ourselves made the Present,--and according to Divine
law we also know that from this Present, stretching forward into
infinity, we shall ourselves evolve all that is yet To Come. There is
no power, no deity, no chance, no 'fortuitous concurrence of atoms' in
what is simply a figure of the Universal Mathematics. Nothing can be
'forgiven' under the eternal law of Compensation,--nothing need be
'prayed for,' since everything is designed to accomplish each
individual spirit's ultimate good. You are here to learn not only the
secret of life, but something of how to live that life; and I, in my
capacity, am only striving to teach what Nature has been showing you
for thousands of centuries, though you have not cared to master her
lessons. The science of to-day is but Nature's first primer--a
spelling-book as it were, with the alphabet set out in pictures. You
are told by sagacious professors,--who after all are no more than
children in their newly studied wisdom,--that human life was evolved in
the first instance from protoplasm--as they THINK,--but they lack the
ability to tell you how the protoplasm was itself evolved--and WHY;
where the material came from that went to the making of millions of
solar systems and trillions of living organisms concerning whose
existence we have no knowledge or perception. Some of them deny a
God,--but most of them are driven to confess that there must be an
Intelligence, supreme and omnipotent, behind the visible Universe.
Order cannot come out of Chaos without a directing Mind; and Order
would be quickly submerged into Chaos again were not the directing Mind
of a nature to sustain its method and condition.
"We start, therefore, with this Governing Intelligence or directing
Mind, which must, like the brain of man, be dual, combining the male
and female attributes, since we see that it expresses itself throughout
all creation in dual form and type. Intelligence, Mind, or Spirit,
whichever we may elect to call it, is inherently active and must find
an outlet for its powers,--and the very fact of this necessity produces
Desire to perpetuate Itself in varied ways: this again is the first
attribute of Love. Hence Love is the foundation of worlds, and the
source of all living organisms,--the dual atoms, or ions of spirit and
matter yielding to Attraction, Union and Reproduction. If we master
this fact reasonably and thoroughly, we shall be nearer the
comprehension of life."
He paused a moment,--then advanced a step or two and went on, the
flaming Symbol behind him seeming literally to envelop him in its beams.
"What we have to learn first of all is, how these laws affect us as
individual human beings and as separate personalities. It is necessary
to avoid all obscurity of language in setting forth the simple
principles which should guide and preserve each human existence, and my
explanation shall be as brief and plain as I can make it. Granted that
there is a Divine Mind or Governing Intelligence behind the infinitude
of vital and productive atoms which in their union and reproduction
build up the wonders of the Universe, we see and admit that one of the
chief results of the working of this Divine Mind is Man. He is, so we
have been told--'the image of God.' This expression may be taken as a
poetic line in the Scriptures, meaning no more than poetic
imagery,--but it is nevertheless a truth. Man is a kind of Universe in
himself--he too is a conglomeration of atoms--atoms that are active,
reproductive, and desirous of perpetual creativeness. Behind them, as
in the nature of the Divine, there is the Governing Intelligence, the
Mind, the Spirit,--dual in type, double-sexed in action. Without the
Mind to control it, the constitution of Man is chaos,--just as the
Universe itself would be without the Creator's governance. What we have
chiefly to remember is, that just as the Spirit behind visible Nature
is Divine and eternal, so is the Spirit behind each one of our
individual selves also Divine and eternal. It HAS BEEN always,--it WILL
BE always, and we move as distinct personalities through successive
phases of life, each one under the influence of his or her own
controlling Soul, to higher and ever higher perception and attainment.
The great majority of the world's inhabitants live with less
consciousness of this Spirit than flies or worms--they build up
religions in which they prate of God and immortality as children
prattle, without the smallest effort to understand either,--and at the
Change which they call death, they pass out of this life without having
taken the trouble to discover, acknowledge or use the greatest gift God
has bestowed upon them. But we,--we who are here to realise the
existence of the all-powerful Force which gives us complete mastery
over the things of space and time and matter--we, who know that over
that individual moving universe of atoms called Man, It can hold
absolute control,--we can prove for ourselves that the whole earth is
subject to the dominance of the immortal Soul,--ay!--and the very
elements of air, fire and water!--for these are but the ministers and
servants to Its sovereign authority!"