With such language Pythagoras succeeded in restoring to the priests of Delphi the consciousness of their mission. Theoclea drank in every word with silent, concentrated passion. She was visibly becoming transformed beneath the thought and will of the master as by a slow incantation. Standing in the midst of the astonished elders, she untied her raven-black locks and thrust them back from her head as though she felt flames of fire playing in and about them. Her eyes, transfigured and wide open, seemed to behold the solar and planetary gods in their radiant, glowing orbs. One day she fell into a deep, lucid sleep. The five prophets surrounded her, but she remained insensible alike to their voice and touch. Pythagoras drew near and said: “Rise and go where my thought sends thee. For now thou art the Pythoness!” On hearing the master’s voice, a long vibrating thrill ran through the whole of her body and she rose to her feet. Her eyes were closed, but she saw from within. “Where art thou?” asked Pythagoras. “I am ascending----ascending all the time.” “And now?” “I am bathing in the light of Orpheus.” “What seest thou in the future?” “Great wars----men of might----Apollo returns to dwell in his sanctuary, and I shall be his voice----! But thou, his messenger, thou art about to leave me, alas! thou wilt bear the torch of his light into Italy.” Long did the seer speak, with closed eyes, in musical, panting, rhythmic voice; then suddenly, with a sob, she fell to the ground like one dead. Thus did Pythagoras pour a pure, undefiled stream of knowledge into Theoclea’s breast, tuning her like a lyre for divine inspiration. Once exalted to these heights she became his torch, thanks to which he was able to sound his own destiny, see into the possible future, and direct his path along the strandless zones of the invisible. Such a striking counter-verification of the truths he taught filled the priests with admiration, aroused their courage and revived their faith. The temple now possessed an inspired Pythoness, and priests initiated into the divine sciences and arts; Delphi could once again become a centre of life and action. Pythagoras remained there for a whole year. It was only after imparting to the priests all the secrets of his doctrine, and preparing Theoclea for his ministry, that he took his departure for Greater Greece. CHAPTER IV THE ORDER AND THE DOCTRINE