We came to a house set amid scented gardens and having in front of it terraces of flowers.It seemed not unlike my own house at home, but I took little note of it, because of a woman who sat upon the verandah, if I may call it so.She was clad in garments of white silk fastened about her middle with a jewelled girdle.
On her neck also was a collar of jewels.I forget the colour;indeed this seemed to change continually as the light from the different moons struck when she moved, but I think its prevailing tinge was blue.In her arms this woman nursed a beauteous, sleeping child, singing happily as she rocked it to and fro.Yva went towards the woman who looked up at her step and uttered a little cry.Then for the first time I saw the woman's face.It was that of my dead wife!
As I followed in my dream, a little cloud of mist seemed to cover both my wife and Yva, and when I reached the place Yva was gone.Only my wife remained, she and the child.There she stood, solemn and sweet.While I drew near she laid down the child upon the cushioned seat from which she had risen.She stretched out her arms and flung them about me.She embraced me and I embraced her in a rapture of reunion.Then turning she lifted up the child, it was a girl, for me to kiss.
"See your daughter," she said, "and behold all that I am making ready for you where we shall dwell in a day to come."I grew confused.
"Yva," I said."Where is Yva who brought me here? Did she go into the house?""Yes," she answered happily."Yva went into the house.Look again!"I looked and it was Yva's face that was pressed against my own, and Yva's eyes that gazed into mine.Only she was garbed as my wife had been, and on her bosom hung the changeful necklace.
"You may not stay," she whispered, and lo! it was my wife that spoke, not Yva.
"Tell me what it means?" I implored.
"I cannot," she answered."There are mysteries that you may not know as yet.Love Yva if you will and I shall not be jealous, for in loving Yva you love me.You cannot understand? Then know this, that the spirit has many shapes, and yet is the same spirit--sometimes.Now I who am far, yet near, bid you farewell a while."Then all passed in a flash and the dream ended.
Such was the only one of those visions which I can recall.
I seemed to wake up as from a long and tumultuous sleep.The first thing I saw was the palm roof of our house upon the rock.Iknew it was our house, for just above me was a palm leaf of which I had myself tied the stalk to the framework with a bit of coloured ribbon i had I had chanced to find in my pocket.It came originally from the programme card of a dance that I had attended at Honolulu and I had kept it because I thought it might be useful.Finally I used it to secure that loose leaf.I stared at the ribbon which brought back a flood of memories, and as I was thus engaged I heard voices talking, and listened--Bickley's voice, and the Lady Yva's.
"Yes," Bickley was saying, "he will do well now, but he went near, very near.""I knew he would not die," she answered, "because my father said so.""There are two sorts of deaths," replied Bickley, "that of the body and that of the mind.I was afraid that even if he lived, his reason would go, but from certain indications I do not think that will happen now.He will get quite well again--though--" and he stopped.
"I am very glad to hear you say so," chimed in Bastin."For weeks I thought that I should have to read the Burial Service over poor Arbuthnot.Indeed I was much puzzled as to the best place to bury him.Finally I found a very suitable spot round the corner there, where it isn't rock, in which one can't dig and the soil is not liable to be flooded.In fact I went so far as to clear away the bush and to mark out the grave with its foot to the east.In this climate one can't delay, you know."Weak as I was, I smiled.This practical proceeding was so exactly like Bastin.
"Well, you wasted your labour," exclaimed Bickley.
"Yes, I am glad to say I did.But I don't think it was your operations and the rest that cured him, Bickley, although you take all the credit.I believe it was the Life-water that the Lady Yva made him drink and the stuff that Oro sent which we gave him when you weren't looking.""Then I hope that in the future you will not interfere with my cases," said the indignant Bickley, and either the voices passed away or I went to sleep.
When I woke up again it was to find the Lady Yva seated at my side watching me.
"Forgive me, Humphrey, because I here; others gone out walking," she said slowly in English.
"Who taught you my language?" I asked, astonished."Bastin and Bickley, while you ill, they teach; they teach me much.Man just same now as he was hundred thousand years ago," she added enigmatically."All think one woman beautiful when no other woman there.""Indeed," I replied, wondering to what proceedings on the part of Bastin and Bickley she alluded.Could that self-centred pair--oh! it was impossible.
"How long have I been ill?" I asked to escape the subject which I felt to be uncomfortable.
