_Ranoutet._ O Ra Toum, thou enterest the kingdom of our Lady of the West beyond the holy mountain Mannu amid flaming orisons. Thou fallest into peace between the guardian serpents who are on either side of thee. Thou art one with the sun-disk in the West, and its powers have their place behind thee. Thy way divides the heavens, and the gods of the North and the South bow before thee. I, too, bow before thee, O creator of the gods; before thee who art king over the souls dwelling in the circle of thy path. The blessed one receives thee into the deep shadows of her embrace as thou enterest into the mountain of the West. (_She burns incense. Ouny returns with a magic mirror, wax, cymbals, and serpent wands. Ranoutet takes beeswax and begins to model it into shape._) _Voice outside._ Will the great priestess Ranoutet receive the warrior chief Aahmes? (_Ranoutet hastily takes off the ceremonial crown, and directs Ouny to cover the altar, and goes out. She re-enters, after Ouny has done what is necessary, followed by Aahmes carrying Nouferou. Ranoutet helps him lay her on the couch._) _Aahmes._ Her heart is silent, she has seen men slain. _Ranoutet._ She seems of noble birth; how is it that she went unattended? _Aahmes._ The gods alone can tell. She is the Lady Nouferou. I found her helpless in the hands of ruffians far from her home. Her father’s palace is an hour’s journey hence. I cannot take her there to-night, and I come to ask you to shelter her. _Ranoutet._ She is known to you? _Aahmes._ I have fought under her father’s leadership; and she was still a child when I last feasted at his palace. How she came to this adventure I can in no way tell. (_Ranoutet restores Nouferou. Nouferou recovers and holds out her hands to Aahmes, not seeing Ranoutet._) _Nouferou_ (_to Aahmes, who kneels by her side_). You killed men for my sake. Oh, I am afraid! I see their hideous faces like beasts of prey! their claws clutch at my heart! Oh, save me from this horror! (_She throws herself into his arms._) _Ranoutet_ (_with anxiety_). Are the dead men still lying in the street? _Aahmes._ I had no eyes to see what the crowd did with them. _Ranoutet_ (_crosses to the door_). I will send mourners to give notice of the dead. Until they have been purified no help can come to Lady Nouferou. (_Exit muttering_) I go in peace; may peace go with me! _Nouferou._ Where am I? Who is that stern-faced priestess?