To thee the earth, to thee the power, The life and strength be given! The scarab rests upon the flower! The veil of the shrine is riven! The stars are falling, for the hour Sounds when the earth meets heaven. _Ranoutet._ You hear the sacred hymn. The moment is propitious. Come to the shrine of the goddess. To-night the battle for your soul must be fought and won! (_Aahmes follows her out. In the meantime Nouferou has been watching them intently. She springs up and seizes the child, gazing intently into its face as she speaks._) _Nouferou._ Ouny, Ouny, do you love me? _Ouny._ Yes. _Nouferou._ Listen now, Ouny; my little Ouny. Do you love me very much? (_She takes it in her arms._) _Ouny._ Yes. _Nouferou_ (_covers it with kisses_). Now tell me how much you love me. _Ouny._ I think you a very pretty lady. _Nouferou_ (_laughs and clasps the child_). Quick! now tell me what is the ceremony the great Priestess Ranoutet performs to-night. Tell me, where will it take place? _Ouny._ Here. _Nouferou._ Tell me, will she make images of the enemies of Aahmes, and so contrive by her magical arts that Aahmes shall overcome the hateful Hyksos? (_Ouny nods._) _Nouferou._ Will she make a mighty image of Aahmes and small images of the Hyksos, and will she place the foot of Aahmes on their heads, and will she place nooses round their necks, and give the cords into the hands of Aahmes, that he may hold their lives in the hollow of his hands? (_Ouny nods again._) _Nouferou._ Fetch me some sacred wax, dear little Ouny, and I will help in the ceremony. I am well skilled in magic, and would gladly aid the mighty priestess in these simple arts. _Ouny_ (_rises and goes to the covered altar_). All things await the Lady Ranoutet. There is much wax, and I will light the fire; it will help you to do the work more quickly. (_The child lights the cauldron from the lamp which Ranoutet brings in with her. Ranoutet returns wearily. It is dark. She sinks on couch in profound thought._) _Nouferou._ Lady, I have some simple skill in magic, and if you work to-night in the sacred Libyan wax, I pray you let me help you. I long to try, and in some measure repay the noble warrior chief. _Ranoutet_ (_carelessly_). Hush! I am thinking. Anything you will. But I must rest in peace, to be ready for work at the hour of battle. The soldiers have performed the sacred dance: the final preparations are going on: they are stealing silently out of the town to reinforce the leading troops, which even now surround the Hyksos. Aahmes will lead the attack at dawn; and dawn will be the signal for the watchers of the night!