Within the Temple of Isis | Page 7

she moaned, "help me, I can not
decide."
"My child," came the mental response to her call, "if you could be
assured that Rathunor would love you in Nu-nah's body, would the
decision be easy?"
"Aye, indeed, dear Father."
"Then rest assured it will be as you desire. We give you our sacred
word that Rathunor will love you."
Then, raising his arm, as in benediction, he slowly repeated thrice, like
an incantation, the words, "Rest in Peace," and, ere the echoes of his
voice had died away, the soul of Sarthia had left forever its earthly
abode and Temple.
CHAPTER IV.

WITHIN THE ADYTUM.
For several days, after floating from her body into the Astral world,
Sarthia remained in a state of profound, dreamless slumber and then
gradually passed into a condition of semi-consciousness with
occasional fitful gleams of memory until one day she realized herself in
close proximity to two persons engaged in earnest conversation and
became fully aware of the momentous events that had just transpired
and her present disembodied situation. And with a thrill indescribable
she recognized the voice of Rathunor addressing the Hierophant.
"And so, most revered Father, all things are progressing favorably and
toward a satisfactory culmination?" he said.
"Even so, my son," was the reply. "And yet," continued the Prince,
"save the one momentary gleam of recognition, upon the first night of
the ceremonies, the soul of the Princess Nu-nah, to all outward
appearance, has left entirely. The body is sustained, apparently, by
some magical process, the nature of which I do not understand."
"True, my son, but that need not disquiet you. The resources of Nature
are many and far from being exhausted. But then, youth is naturally
impatient. Did you so deeply love the Princess?"
At this point Sarthia would have withdrawn but she found that her
desire to stay chained her to the spot, and glancing at the Hierophant
she realized that her presence was known to him and that he wished her
to remain.
The Prince mused thoughtfully for a few moments before replying and
then said with a half sigh, "You know, O Father, that I myself did not
particularly desire that marriage. From my earliest childhood I have
been fond of my cousin and playfellow. As she matured I have admired,
with family pride, her perfect beauty of form, her haughty spirit and her
ability to rule. And yet, as you, who can so easily read the innermost
secrets of the heart, must know I have not been able to discern the
happiness for myself in this union that my soul would crave, or that you
led me to expect in wedded love. If my ambition irresistibly impelled

me to fill the external destinies of mankind, to become a monarch of
unsurpassed power and magnificence, then would Nu-nah be the royal
consort absolutely adapted for such pride and pomp. But, you know, O
Father, all these things are as empty bubbles and child toys to one
aspiring to become a Priest King, to him who hungers and thirsts, day
and night for wisdom, for knowledge of the more inner secrets of
Nature, guarded so jealously by the Priesthood but revealed by the very
Gods themselves to those worthy to know and fit to use and assist in
carrying out the plans and orderly workings of the very Universe itself.
"In form and feature Nu-nah's image meets my highest ideal, but when
I would speak of the thoughts and ambitions upon which my soul
dwells, then her cold look of incomprehension appalls me with the vast
difference in our natures. Her thoughts can never penetrate the realm
wherein my life-forces are all centered. Never have I experienced from
her the response my love would crave."
"Have you then never at any time felt that Nu-nah's love for you could
be trained and in time evolved to the plane whereby she would respond
to you?"
"Nu-nah does not seem capable of the love of soul. She accepts me as a
lover due her, and whose attention and presence gratify her pride and
vanity. Never once, or perhaps only once, have I ever seen or imagined
I saw a recognition of love, and that was the night of the full Moon,
during the recent ceremonies. As, with your permission, I for a moment
drew near the couch on which she reposed, she suddenly raised to a
half-sitting position and seemed strangely startled by my presence.
With a thrill of hope, that finally love was awakening, I sprang forward
and spake anxiously and fondly to her. For the first time in all my life
her glance vibrated to my heart's very core. My brain reeled with
intoxication as she pressed my hand, and the love from her eyes burns
now into my soul