will the
stones that mask the entrance will roll back, and the goddess will be
unveiled. Except the High Priest and the Pharaoh, no mortal, if he be
not priest himself, may look on her and live--save at the hour of the
annual Festival of Prodigies, which is upon us now. Do you believe that
you can endure to be alone in her presence?

SATNI. I do believe it.

HIGH PRIEST. We shall see. If you be afraid, call and prostrate
yourself. Afterwards you shall go and tell what you have seen, to those
whom you deceived.

_The High Priest makes a sign. Total darkness. A peal of
thunder._

SATNI. Ah! [_Terrified, he leaps forward. A faint light returns slowly,
the temple is empty_] I am alone! [_He is terrified, standing erect
against a pillar facing the audience_] Alone in the temple, within sight
of the goddess almost. I know 'tis but an image--yet am I steeped in
terror, even to the marrow of my bones. [_He utters an agonized cry_]
Ah!--I thought I beheld in the darkness--No--I know that there is
nothing--Oh! coward nature! Because I was cradled amid tales of
religion, because I grew up in the fear of the gods, because my father
and my father's father, and all those from whom I come, were crushed by
this terror even from the blackest night of time, I tremble, and my
reason totters. All this is false, I know--the god obeys the priest.
Yet, from these towering columns, horror and mystery descend upon
me--[_A thunder clap brings him to his knees. The stones that mask the
entrance to the sanctuary roll slowly back. He tries to look_] The holy
of holies opens--I am afraid--I am afraid--[_He mutters words, wipes the
sweat from his brow with his hand. He trembles and falls sobbing to the
ground. A long pause_] 'Tis the beast in me that is afraid--Ah! coward
flesh! [_Biting his hands_] I shall conquer thee--I would chastise my
weakness. I am shamed--I am shamed--In spite of all I will look her in
the face. I have the will! but I must fight against so many memories,
against all the dead whose spirits stir in mine. I shall conquer the
dead. My life, and my will--courage!

_With great effort and after many struggles he gains the
mastery of himself, goes to the shrine and looks upon the
goddess. The High Priest reappears touching him on the
shoulder._

HIGH PRIEST. Terror does not move you. Let us see if you be proof
against pity. Come--[_He leads him to the side of the shrine, presses a
spring and a d