I saw stars glow
and fade; I saw great nebulae condense to points of light, and
disintegrate to dust; then, slowly, slowly, a single planet swung into
view, a million miles away, at first, but growing clearer and more
clear, until I was looking down upon its seas and continents; and
suddenly, as it turned before me, I recognised the earth. Europe,
Asia, the broad Pacific swung below me; then land again--America! I
saw great mountains, broad plains, and mighty rivers.
The motion ceased. I was gazing down upon a great city, built upon a
narrow spur of land between two rivers, a city of towering buildings
and busy streets; then upon a single house, set in the midst of lofty
elms; then I was in a room, a room with books against the walls, and a
door opening upon a garden. From the garden the light faded, and the
darkness came, and a clock somewhere struck twelve. Then, suddenly, at
the door appeared two white-robed figures, an old man and a girl. The
man was talking violently, but the girl crossed the room without a
backward glance, and passed through a door on its farther side. The
man stood for a moment looking after her, then flung himself into a
chair, and put his hands before his face.
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