“The reply is clear enough for me. The oracle is divine; the word ‘delay’ is addressed to me. You and my daughter are clever enough in making the oracle speak, but I am more skilled than you in the interpretation thereof. I shall prevent the thing going any further. The project is no less a one than to lend a hundred millions, taking in pledge the diamonds of the French crown. The king wishes the loan to be concluded without the interference of his ministers and without their even knowing anything about it. I entreat you not to mention the matter to anyone.”
He then went out.
“Now,” said Esther, when we were by ourselves, “I am quite sure that that reply came from another intelligence than yours. In the name of all you hold sacred, tell me the meaning of those four letters, and why you usually omit them.”
“I omit them, dearest Esther, because experience has taught me that in ordinary cases they are unnecessary; but while I was making the pyramid the command came to me to set them down, and I thought it well to obey.”
“What do they mean?”
“They are the initial letters of the holy names of the cardinal intelligences of the four quarters of the world.”
“I may not tell you, but whoever deals with the oracle should know them.”
“Ah! do not deceive me; I trust in you, and it would be worse than murder to abuse so simple a faith as mine.”
“I am not deceiving you, dearest Esther.”
“But if you were to teach me the cabala, you would impart to me these holy names?”