There in the west the sun sank in splendour, and the sails of a windmill that turned slowly between its orb and me were now bright as gold, and now by contrast black as they dipped into the shadow.

Near the windmill was a cornfield, and beyond the cornfield stood a cottage whence came the sound of lowing cattle and the voices of children.

Down a path that ran through the ripening corn walked a young man and a maid, their arms twined about each other, while above their heads a lark poured out its song.
But at my very feet this kindly earth and all that has life upon it vanished quite away, and there in its place, seen through a giant portal, was the realm of darkness that I had pictured--darkness so terrible, so overpowering, and so icy that my living blood froze at the sight of it.

Presently something stirred in the darkness, for it trembled like shaken water.

A shape came forward to the edge of the gateway so that the light of the setting sun fell upon it, making it visible.