The sparkling mists thinned; the great heads bent slightly over us; through the veils I caught a glimpse of huge columnar necks, enormous shoulders covered with draperies as of pale-blue fire.
I came back to attention with a start, for Lakla was answering a question only heard by her, and, answering it aloud, I perceived for our benefit; for whatever was the mode of communication between those whose handmaiden she was, and her, it was clearly independent of speech.
"He has been told," she said, "even as you commanded." Did I see a shadow of pain flit across the flickering eyes?
Wondering, I glanced at Lakla's face and there was a dawn of foreboding and bewilderment.

For a little she held her listening attitude; then the gaze of the Three left her; focused upon the O'Keefe.
"Thus speak the Silent Ones--through Lakla, their handmaiden," the golden voice was like low trumpet notes.

"At the threshold of doom is that world of yours above.

Yea, even the doom, Goodwin, that ye dreamed and the shadow of which, looking into your mind they see, say the Three.

For not upon earth and never upon earth can man find means to destroy the Shining One." She listened again--and the foreboding deepened to an amazed fear.
"They say, the Silent Ones," she went on, "that they know not whether even they have power to destroy.