They were around the thicket; and had come upon one of the streams flowing down the mountain side. By this they sat so as to face the thicket; and, under cover of the noise of the bulls, Hellen began with this:
“Æole, Electra, I have seen the queen.”
The two jumped to their feet, and as quickly sat down again. “Tell us!”—“Tell us!” they chorused.
Hellen recounted all save the terrible part concerning the handmaids. When he finished, they were weeping.
“Thinkest thou the queen will get well?” asked Æole, finally.
“Her spirit is mighty. She feeleth she should live to help us. I fear not she will die.”
“Great is the wonder that she found strength to come to the temple.”
“Yea, but it is herself,” said Electra. “And well did Atlano and Oltis cower before her. It passeth belief that Oltis should thus deck himself when the law is strong the priests shall ever wear white linen.”
“But, the ‘Silent Priest,’” interposed Æole, “was he not as beyond earth? How did Oltis pale before him! What shame did his pure raiment and silver circlet cast upon the purple and gems of the high priest! And, even at my first look, what a spell took hold of me. Hard was it to draw from him mine eyes.”
“He is a power,” added Hellen. “The other priests fear him while they look up to him. And, he doth cause me to thrill with hope and strength at the first glance. What is it?—Ah—never can I forget how he came before these islanders!”