Hark, then—oh shame upon her priestly virgin robes; she promises to see him yet again, and then to fly with him.
See, she steals away, and she—her better nature rising—will to the arch-priestess go, and seek her assistance and advice.
CHAPTER II.
Yes—the priestess—the proud priestess is now the happy, yet fearing, mother. See her clasping her children, and turning, affrightedly, to the mouth of their cavern-house at every sound, however slight.
The sound increases—’tis a footstep! The children are hurried away, and the next moment Adalgisa is at the feet of the high priestess.
She tremblingly tells the story of her love. But the proud Norma is not angry—does not upbraid her! Why? Does she not think of the time when Pollione whispered loving vows to her?
At last she asks, “Who is he—thy lover?”
“Not a Gaul—a Roman.”
“A Roman—and he is named—”