Everything seemed swaying for a space, but that was simply my giddiness. I perceived that he had closed some of the shutters in the outer sphere to save me from the direct blaze of the sun. I was aware that everything about us was very brilliant.

“Lord!” I gasped. “But this⁠—!”

I craned my neck to see. I perceived there was a blinding glare outside, an utter change from the gloomy darkness of our first impressions. “Have I been insensible long?” I asked.

“I don’t know⁠—the chronometer is broken. Some little time.⁠ ⁠… My dear chap! I have been afraid.⁠ ⁠…”