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For, it seemed to her now, that life without love would be more

than the agonies of the lowest hells. Then again, to live with

Rathunor as his wife, while he all the time thought her to be

Nu-nah, would be an incessant torture, keener and more intense

than if she were chained by, as a third person, to behold him

loving the actual Nu-nah in her own body.

"Holy Father and revered Hierophant," 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.