CHAPTER V.
ADIEU.
At length I was physically wearied by the conversation, which required all my concentrated faculties to follow. I felt that if my object was to defend the state of society in our world, I had a bad cause. Maud tried to help me here and there with bright woman's wit, and to explain things I could not make clear. Our weariness was noticed by our hosts, who got us a refreshing mid-day meal, and Ezariel offered us with it, in an emerald goblet, a strange but most exquisite liquor, which entirely recovered us both, and the invigorating effects of which we felt for weeks after. Then we renewed our conversation, and so talked on till late in the afternoon, when I said that we must go if we would reach the inn before sunset. They made no objections, but said in an hour they meant to depart from earth. Our farewell was as strange as our meeting, and I felt a certain regret—I know not how to express it— at parting with those who appeared so good and happy, and who had tried to be so kind to us. Ezariel and Arauniel both accompanied us to the door, and, giving each of us a small ring of crystal as a keepsake, raised a sweet song of blessing; and each according to their use, as it seemed, touched us on the forehead. A solemn thrill passed through me. Then we turned half unwillingly to descend the mountain, Aleriel leading the way. We soon reached a beaten path, and then Aleriel also bade us farewell:
"God bless you both, and may we meet again in a happier world."
So saying, he parted from us, remounting the declivity. A few minutes after I heard a sudden explosion, as it seemed, in the mountain, and felt a rushing gust of wind.
"They are gone," said Maud. "I am glad, now, I have seen them. It was like a glimpse of heaven."