Nothing but the blue sky, in which the sun was on its downward course, the house, and the walls of living green, were visible.

Out of this Eden-like spot we passed into another wing of the building with large windows looking out upon it.

Rayel met us at the door, dressed in a black robe of silk that hung gracefully from his shoulders.

Again he took my hand and kissed it, then looked into my eyes with the same expression of curious interest upon his face that I had noted before.

Still holding my hand, he led me across the room.