“Wander along the flaming caves, seek in the fire-vomiting mouths of monsters, ask of the martyred spirits, who roll upon the inky sea.
“Descend to the Nether-world! Seek the Mystic Jewel, the Philosopher’s Stone that gives the highest omnipotence; seek the Mystic Jewel, the rays of which reach to eternity and penetrate to the Godhead.
“Descend, wander, ask, seek, and find!”
Her voice grew terrible, and, screeching, she stepped nearer, and with a look at the casket, said pitilessly:
“Or . . . . weep for it . . . . suffer for it. I care not how much.”
She paused, and then in a voice of horrible hypocrisy, continued:
“And then, if you bring me the Sacred Jewel, the name of which may not be uttered . . . .” She drew still nearer.
. . . . “Then be blessed, Psyche, and share with me, Emeralda, your sister, the divine omnipotence!”
Like an oracle sounded her hypocritical voice. She felt in Psyche an unknown power; she feared for her soul, and wished to gain that power for herself, to make sure of the two-fold
