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From that time forth there was no unhappiness for either Callia or Calladon, because they had learnt that the light of Abra was the only true light, and that their strength was not their own. Oscar lived beside the sea, and had no companions except the waves, the seagulls, the sunsets and sunrises, the moonlight and the shore. He was happy, and yet there was something that he wanted.
'Of course he didn't! because nothing will happen, except that we shall know more than we could know by staying here. He was only trying whether he could frighten you. 'You shall see that I am not so easily frightened, said Calladon. 'I am a man now, and able to take care of myself. Come, let us light a lamp of our own and go. I will show you the way. 'Here is a lamp, said Callia.
'Not that way; you should push it sideways; see like this, said Callia; and she shoved it a little towards the right. Sure enough, a part of the alabaster wall slid back, so that the children were able to look into the room beyond. 'It seems rather dark; don't you think so? remarked Calladon, drawing back after a moment. 'We must take a lamp along with us, said Callia.
At all events, it is further from Abra, and that is reason enough for going. 'Mind that the lamp doesn't go out, then, said Callia, 'and come along! The walls were covered with damp mould an inch thick; spotted toadstools grew in the crevices of the stones, and festoons of decaying weeds hung from the roof.
And as he wanted his happiness, and hers, to begin as soon as possible, he bent over and kissed her on the lips. She opened a pair of lovely blue eyes, and yawned, and said 'Where am I? Oh! Calladon, is that you? How handsome you look, and how good you are! 'How did you know me? asked Calladon. 'If I am Callia, you must be Calladon! replied she, laughing. 'Who else could you be?
At length they came to a great heap of some dark substance, piled up in an obscure corner. 'What is this? said Calladon, stirring it with his foot. Callia stooped down and took up a piece of it in her hand. 'It shines, she said. 'It must be something valuable. Hold the lamp nearer. 'It is certainly some kind of jewel, said Calladon, after they had examined it.
'I can see better, too! exclaimed Calladon. 'Our lamp seems to be getting brighter. By and by, perhaps, it will be as bright as the great lamp was. 'Meanwhile, said Callia, 'let us begin our explorations.
With tears and groans he struggled on; and ever and anon in the darkness near him his ear caught the sound of sobbing and piteous cries, and the voice that uttered them reminded him of the voice of Callia. Thus he strove for many weary hours; and at last it seemed to him that he could strive no more, yet half his work was still undone.
For a moment they tried to struggle against it, and not to be driven from the alabaster room in which they had lived so happily; but the blast grew stronger, and the sword came nearer; and at last Callia cried out: 'Let us go, Calladon, or our light will be lost! 'Come, then! said he; and hand in hand they staggered through the opening, which closed behind them with a hollow sound.
And after all, what could be more delightful than simply to be together? Calladon was more pleased in knowing that Callia was pleased than he could have been at anything that merely pleased himself; and his pleasure gave greater pleasure to Callia than any pleasure of her own could have done.
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