“Patriarch and hierophant,” she said, “this temple awaits thy ministration. The love and obedience of my people and myself are thine to command.”
“Fair daughter of the gods, thou hast already a place in my heart, as I perceive thou hast in the affections of my comrades. Mayst thou ever be surrounded by a nimbus of joy and gladness.”
As Akaza’s lips lightly brushed her glowing cheek, Yermah perceived that his vision was turned inward and that he prayed silently.
Kerœcia turned toward her attendants, but with her own hands served Akaza curds and a gourd of goat’s milk. She also broke the thin corn cakes and arranged some fruit temptingly near him. Akaza opened an oblong comb of wild honey and laid the ripe figs around it. As he poured thick, yellow cream over them, he murmured:
“As it was written! As it was written!”
Concerned for him, Yermah touched him on the shoulder.
“Is it not well?” he asked eagerly.
When the elder man saw the glow of happiness on the questioning face, he involuntarily groaned; but he answered steadily:
“From the beginning all things are ordered well.”