"But how and when did you come?"--asked Alwyn presently, recovering from his first glad shock of surprise--"You see how genuine is my astonishment,--why, I thought you were a perpetually vowed recluse,--that you never went into the world at all, ..."
"Neither I do"--rejoined Heliobas--"save when strong necessity demands. But our Order is not so 'inclosed' that, if Duty calls, we cannot advance to its beckoning, and there are certain times when both I and those of my fraternity mingle with men in common, undistinguished from the ordinary inhabitants of cities either by dress, customs, or manners,--as you see!"--and he laughingly touched his overcoat, the dark rough cloth of which was relieved by a broad collar and revers of rich sealskin,--"Would you not take me for a highly respectable brewer, par example, conscious that his prowess in the making of beer has entitled him, not only to an immediate seat in Parliament, but also to a Dukedom in prospective?"
Alwyn, smiled at the droll inapplicability of this comparison,-- and Heliobas cheerfully continued--"I am on the wing just now,-- bound for Mexico. I had business in London, and arrived here two days since,--two days more will see me again en voyage. I am glad to have met you thus by chance, for I did not know your address, and though I might have obtained that through your publishers, I hesitated about it, not being quite certain as to whether a letter or visit from me might be welcome."
"Surely,"--began Alwyn, and then he paused, a flush rising to his brow as he remembered how obstinately he had doubted and suspected this man's good faith and intention toward him, and how he had even received his farewell benediction at Dariel with more resentment than gratitude.
"Everywhere I hear great things of you, Mr. Alwyn,"--went on Heliobas gently, taking no notice of his embarrassment--"Your fame is now indeed unquestionable! With all my heart I congratulate you, and wish you long life and health to enjoy the triumph of your genius!"
Alwyn smiled, and turning, fixed his clear, soft eyes full on the speaker.
"I thank you!" he said simply,--"But, ... you, who have such a quick instinctive comprehension of the minds and characters of men,--judge for yourself whether I attach any value to the poor renown I have won,--renown that I once would have given my very life to possess!"
As he spoke, he stopped,--they were walking down a quiet side-path under the wavering shadow of newly bourgeoning beeches, and a bright shaft of sunshine struck through the delicate foliage straight on his serene and handsome countenance. Heliobas gave him a swift, keen, observant glance,--in a moment he noticed what a marvellous change had been wrought in the man who, but a few months before, had come to him, a wreck of wasted life,--a wreck that was not only ready, but willing, to drift into downward currents and whirlpools of desperate, godless, blank, and hopeless misery. And now, how completely he was transformed!--Health colored his cheeks and sparkled in his eyes; health, both of body and mind, gave that quick brilliancy to his smile, and that easy, yet powerful poise to his whole figure,--while the supreme consciousness of the Immortal Spirit within him surrounded him with the same indescribable fascination and magnetic attractiveness that distinguished Heliobas himself, even as it distinguishes all who have in good earnest discovered and accepted the only true explanation of their individual mystery of being. One steady, flashing look,--and then Heliobas silently held out his hand. As silently Alwyn clasped it,--and the two men understood each other. All constraint was at an end,--and when they resumed their slow sauntering under the glistening green branches, they were mutually aware that they now held an almost equal rank in the hierarchy of spiritual knowledge, strength, and sympathy.