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Sarthia, who at the very beginning of the Chants and Litany, had

failed in her part and had, with such a pitiable moan and

beseeching glance at her, been hastily withdrawn from the

assembly and assisted to the private courts.

Poor child, she thought, the strain upon her emotions, the solemn

occasion, was too great for her in view of the crisis, which all

unknown to her, must be now impending. However, upon learning

from an attendant that the young girl was resting quietly and

apparently not ill, she had not herself personally visited her,

but concluded to wait until morning.

Once, twice, thrice, just as the Priestess had, as it were,

passed the border-land of sleep the pale face, with its pleading

eyes and plaintive cry, had started her back to vivid

consciousness.