Carried away by his inward fervor, his eyes flashed with extraordinary brilliancy,--his countenance was grand, inspired, and beautiful, and Alwyn gazed at him in wondering, fascinated silence. Here was a man who had indeed made the best of his manhood!--what a life was his! how satisfying and serene! Master of himself, he was, as it were, master of the world,--all Nature ministered to him, and the pageant of passing history was as a mere brilliant picture painted for his instruction,--a picture on which he, looking, learned all that it was needful for him to know. And concerning this mystic Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, what treasures of wisdom they must have secreted in their chronicles through so many thousands of years! What a privilege it would be to explore such world-forgotten tracks of time! Yielding to a sudden impulse, Alwyn spoke his thought aloud: "Heliobas," he said, "tell me, could not I, too, become a member of your Fraternity?"
Heliobas smiled kindly. "You could, assuredly"--he replied--"if you chose to submit to fifteen years' severe trial and study. But I think a different sphere of duty is designed for you. Wait and see! The rules of our Order forbid the disclosure of knowledge attained, save through the medium of others not connected with us; and we may not write out our discoveries for open publication. Such a vow would be the death-blow to your poetical labors,--and the command your Angel gave you points distinctly to a life lived IN the world of men,--not out of it."
"But you yourself are in the world of men at this moment"--argued Alwyn--"And you are free; did you not tell me you were bound for Mexico?"
"Does going to Mexico constitute liberty?" laughed Heliobas. "I assure you I am closely constrained by my vows wherever I am,--as closely as though I were shut in our turret among the heights of Caucasus! I am going to Mexico solely to receive some manuscripts from one of our brethren, who is dying there. He has lived as a recluse, like Elzear of Melyana, and to him have been confided certain important chronicles, which must be taken into trustworthy hands for preservation. Such is the object of my journey. But now, tell me, have you thoroughly understood all I have said to you?"
"Perfectly!" rejoined Alwyn. "My way seems very clear before me,-- a happy way enough, too, if it were not quite so lonely!" And he sighed a little.
Heliobas rose and laid one hand kindly on his shoulder. "Courage!"...he said softly. "Bear with the loneliness a while, IT MAY NOT LAST LONG!"