The whole ornament scintillated and glowed like a marvellous piece of curiously contrived jewel-work.
And this was not all.

Beside every guest at table a slender vase, shaped like a long-stemmed Nile lily, held roses and ferns, in which were hidden tiny electric stars, causing the blossoms to shine with a transparent and almost fairy-like lustre.
Four graceful youths, clad in the Armenian costume, stood waiting silently round the table till all present were seated, and then they commenced the business of serving the viands, with swift and noiseless dexterity.

As soon as the soup was handed round, tongues were loosened, and the Challoners, who had been gazing at everything in almost open-mouthed astonishment, began to relieve their feelings by warm expressions of unqualified admiration, in which Colonel and Mrs.
Everard were not slow to join.
"I do say, and I will say, this beats all I've ever seen," said good Mrs.Challoner, as she bent to examine the glittering vase of flowers near her plate.
"And this is real electric light?
And is it perfectly harmless ?" Heliobas smilingly assured her of the safety of his table decorations.
"Electricity," he said, "though the most powerful of masters, is the most docile of slaves.

It is capable of the smallest as well as of the greatest uses.

It can give with equal certainty life or death; in fact, it is the key-note of creation." "Is that your theory, sir ?" asked Colonel Everard.
"It is not only my theory," answered Heliobas, "it is a truth, indisputable and unalterable, to those who have studied the mysteries of electric science." "And do you base all your medical treatment on this principle ?" pursued the Colonel.
"Certainly.