Belle and the Dragon

...it was sublime because it was always perched on a peak and yet simultaneously in the depths—because its law was paradox—because it lived in a state of perpetual anticlimax—because its motto was "Such is the way to the stars," original: "Sic itur ad astra" and its practice was "the descent into the abyss" original: "descensus Averni"—because it was always at odds and always falling out with itself—because it was a complete contradiction—because two parallel lines stretched to infinity would only meet at Ravendale—because it had no equal sides and no balance—because it was always at the very limit original: "in extremis"—for all these reasons, it was a place of delight and wonder, and there alone a sense of humor might find its perfect fulfillment.

A detailed line drawing showing an ornate horse-drawn carriage traveling along a road. A dragon-like creature flies in the sky above the carriage. In the background, a signpost or milestone is visible with text that appears to read "SWATRIDGE AND SOMERSET RAILWAY".

CHAPTER II.

THE INVITATION TO FAIRYLAND.

"I am sick of it all, sweet Mystic," said the divine Melusine, as she sat in a superb sapphire-blue tea-gown on a superb settee, in a superb drawing room, with a superb afternoon tea service on a superb table in front of her.

The mellow light of a nut-brown summer morning filtered slowly through the rose-pink draperies and encircled the gracious head of the mistress of the house with the enchantment of a dim halo.