下载辰思小说免费APP
“OAmon，IthySacrificer，IthyMagician，towhomthougivestpower，IthepriestandservantofIsis，MotherofMysteries，Queenofthecompanyofthegods，calluponthee。ShewhostandsbeforetheeisbutaHebrewwoman。Yet，asthouknowestwell，OFather，inthishousesheismorethanwoman，inasmuchassheistheVoiceandSwordofthineenemy，Jahveh，godoftheIsraelites。Shethinks，mayhap，thatshehascomehereofherownwill，butthouknowest，FatherAmon，asIknow，thatsheissentbythegreatprophetsofherpeople，thosemagicianswhoguidehersoulwithspellstoworktheeevilandtosetthee，Amon，beneaththeheelofJahveh。Thestakeseemssmall，thelifeofthisonemaid，nomore；yetitisverygreat。Thisisthestake，O
Father：ShallAmonruletheworld，orJahveh。Ifthoufallestto-night，thoufallestforever；ifthoudosttriumphto-night，thoudosttriumphforever。Inyondershapeofstonehidesthyspirit；inyondershapeofwoman’sfleshhidesthespiritofthyfoe。Smiteher，OAmon，smitehertosmalldust；letnotthestrengththatisinherprevailagainstthystrength，lestthynameshouldbedefiledandsorrowsandlossshouldcomeuponthelandwhichisthythrone；lest，too，thewizardsoftheIsraelitesshouldovercomeusthyservants。
ThusprayethKithymagician，onwhosesoulithaspleasedtheetopourstrengthandwisdom。“
Thenfollowedagreatsilence。
Watchingthestatueofthegod，presentlyIthoughtthatitmoved，andasIcouldseebythestiramongthem，sodidtheothers。Ithoughtthatitsstoneeyesrolled，IthoughtthatitliftedtheScourgeofPowerinitsgranitehand，thoughwhetherthesethingsweredonebysomespiritorbysomepriest，orbythemagicofKi，Idonotknow。
Attheleast，agreatwindbegantoblowaboutthetemple，stirringourrobesandcausingthelampstoflicker。OnlytherobesofMerapididnotstir。YetshesawwhatIcouldnotsee，forsuddenlyhereyesgrewfrightened。
“Thegodisawake，“whisperedBakenkhonsu。“Nowgood-byetoyourfairIsraelite。See，thePrincetrembles，Kismiles，andthefaceofUsertiglowswithtriumph。“
Ashespokethebluescarab？uswassnatchedfromMerapi’sbreastasthoughbyahand。Itfelltothefloorasdidherwimple，sothatnowsheappearedwithherrichhairflowingdownherrobe。Thentheeyesofthestatueseemedtoceasetoroll，thewindceasedtoblow，andagaintherewassilence。
Merapistooped，liftedthewimple，replaceditonherhead，foundthescarab？usclasp，andveryquietly，asawomanwhowastiringherselfmightdo，madeitfastinitsplaceagain，asightatwhichIheardUsertigasp。
Foralongwhilewewaited。Watchingthefacesofthecongregation，I
sawamazementanddoubtonthoseofthepriests，rageonthatofKi，andonSeti’stheflickerofalittlesmile。Merapi’seyeswereclosedasthoughshewereasleep。Atlengthsheopenedthem，andturningherheadtowardsthePrincesaid：
“Ohigh-priestofAmon-Ra，hasyourgodworkedhiswillonme，ormustIwaitlongerbeforeIcalluponmyGod？“
“Dowhatyouwillorcan，woman，andmakeanend，foralmostitisthemoment
