Love itself. … I see a land such as on earth there is none: where a Not-sun shines, and where Not-flowers have fragrance! A vision! … I behold a lover who is not of the earth, and him alone I love. … In a vision. … In my slumbers!"
"There is nothing in the world," said Emma, "so beautiful as that which is not in it. … Oh, how sweet is the craving after the love that is nowhere to be found!"
We were all experiencing an extraordinary and ecstatic glow: and in our state nothing appeared too naive or too exalté.
I felt full of kindly inclination towards these people, and of deep gratitude as well, because they were all in such harmony with one another. It was almost pure ideal friendship, based on community of admirations and disdains, and mutually uniting all those of the same caste: the cool and egotistical friendship which one demigod may feel for another.
The slenderly built young man whom I have mentioned leant forward to me:
"Pray tell me something of love."
"Love? I know one kind only."
"And what is that?"
"The fanatical, the Pagan love of Self."
