On the instant everywhere each man put his torch under his foot.
There was complete and immediate darkness, for the fires, which had by now fallen low, had evidently been trodden out in the measure of the dance.

The music still kept in its rhythmic beat, but slower than it had yet been.

Little by little this beat was pointed and emphasized by the clapping of hands--at first only a few, but spreading till everyone present was beating hands to the slow music in the darkness.

This lasted a little while, during which, looking round, I noticed a faint light beginning to steal up behind the hills.

The moon was rising.
Again there came a note from the Vladika's flute--a single note, sweet and subtle, which I can only compare with a note from a nightingale, vastly increased in powers.