“Do not move from here,” said the priestess. “Be silent. Try to think of—nothing.” So she left her.
Never would Theria forget that day, the interminable hours, the slow change of the slant sunlight in the court, the trying to pray, succeeding at last with upsoaring faith, sleeping; the awakening to realize that it was still only morning. Then again the waiting, waiting.
The third and last morning Theria was so weak that she longed to cry, longed as she never supposed she could long for Baltè to come to her. Baltè surely could make her well.
To-day, as yesterday, she must preserve through all the hours the holy silence.
Again came the old priestess and dressed her. Then a procession of priestesses led Theria down to the Castalian spring where they gave her the sacred, purifying bath.
The shock of the cold water restored her. She realized with a start that now, if ever, she must seize the will of the god. She began to struggle with petitions. When she entered her room again it seemed to reel round and round her head. Surely this meant that Apollo was approaching nearer—nearer. The face of the god with solemn eyes and wide-flung hair became suddenly so vivid before her that she could not tell whether it was an image in her mind or the real presence of the god. Her home, her father, Eëtíon were all infinitely far away. Numbly she realized that she was passing into the ecstatic state.
Once again it was morning—the morning of the oracle. Theria’s mind awoke crystal clear, drenched through and through with hope. She smiled so happily at the old priestess when she came in that the dame bent and kissed her. Then, since this was against custom, the woman was quite shocked at what she had done.
Now the hour of the oracle was come. Dreamily Theria was conscious of being led into the temple. Knew that her hair was hanging loose, the sacred veil and crown upon her head. Ah, the dear, dear temple! There were the splendid golden eagles, the navel stone, first of Delphi’s treasures, Pindar’s chair which she had kissed. And over yonder the Athenian consultants waiting with awed faces. Oh, the god would help them. She was sure, now, sure!