“Don’t leave me!” cried the girl, seizing Ninus’ robe. “Look!” she added drawing from her arm a glittering gold band, “if this is enough, take it.”
“I am easily satisfied,” said Ninus, snatching the gold. “Well then, I’ll tell you everything. Before a baetylus will show its power one must fast thrice seven days and hold no conversation with men; then the stone must be washed in spring-water and clad in swaddling clothes like a little child. Even this is not enough. A lamp must be lighted in a clean room in the house, incense offered, and prayers repeated. All this I have done from the hour Doris first told me.”
Ninus now thrust both hands down into the basket and, with great care, drew out a smooth oval stone, wrapped in swaddling clothes like a new-born child.
Holding out the stone, she bowed low.
Hipyllos felt like a person who, at some untimely hour, had entered a sanctuary and beheld things no mortal eye ought to see.
“Maiden,” whispered Ninus, “take the baetylus in your arms and rock it to and fro. But beware of dropping it; for then it would be angry.”
The veiled figure received the stone with evident anxiety.
Ninus now lighted some charcoal on the gridiron by the flame of the lantern, scattered incense upon it, and let the smoke rise before the baetylus. Then, taking it from Clytie’s hands, she removed the swaddling clothes and anointed it with oil.
“Look!” she cried, raising it in the air, “the soul is coming.”
Hipyllos felt a slight thrill of awe. He fancied he saw the stone make a slight movement in the priestess’ hands.