_Idali._ Sitting behind a pillar in the temple, fast asleep. We might have passed her twenty times without perceiving her. _High-Priestess._ Admirable!—Now both of you come hither. (_She takes a hand of each, and looks steadfastly first at one, then at the other_) You have both uttered falsehoods! You say that Cora was asleep behind a pillar in the temple, and you that she was under the palm-tree in the court of the temple. (_Idali and Amazili hem, and cough, and look terrified and embarrassed_) Which am I to believe? _Idali._ (_To Amazili_) Silly girl, you have forgotten every thing. _Amazili._ No, it is you who have forgotten. _Idali._ No, indeed it is you. _Amazili._ I am sure that I was bid to say under the shade of the great palm-tree. _Idali._ I am sure I was bid to say behind the pillar. _High-Priestess._ _I was bid!_ and, _I was bid!_—What may all this mean? (_Idali and Amazili hesitate_) If you will not please to recollect yourselves now, I shall soon find a way to assist your memories. _Idali._ (_To Amazili._) This is your fault. _Amazili._ No, it is your’s. _Idali._ I certainly did not mention him first. _High-Priestess._ HIM!—who?—who?——Oh you wicked girls, why you have not been among men I hope?—The gods defend us from so horrible a misfortune! _Idali and Amazili._ Oh no!—no indeed! _High-Priestess._ No? _Idali._ They were not men. _Amazili._ Only Spaniards. _High-Priestess._ Spaniards!—how?—what?—Spaniards!—(_She pauses and somewhat recovers herself._) Well, well, if they really were only Spaniards?—And how many might there be? _Amazili._ (_Growing pleased and communicative_) Three. One for Cora, one for Idali, and one for me. Mine, had fine brown hair, and eyes just the same colour. _Idali._ Mine had black curling hair, and such a sweet countenance. _Amazili._ But mine was the handsomest. _Idali._ No, mine was much handsomer. _High-Priestess._ Well, well, this may be settled another time. Now tell me how came these Spaniards in the temple? _Idali._ They were not in the temple. _High-Priestess._ What, then; had they flown over the high walls into the garden? _Idali._ They were not in the garden. _Amazili._ But they might have come in, as easily as we got out. _High-Priestess._ You got out of the garden?—and how could that be managed? _Idali._ According to your orders we went to look for Cora. We ran hither and thither, and called her by her name, but to no purpose, till at last as we were looking about, and listening, we thought we heard voices on the other side of the wall, just by the arbour, where the little stream is lost in the wood. We followed the sound, and crept softly through the thick bushes, till at last we came to a great, great rent in the wall, from the top, quite to the bottom, and so broad that Amazili and I could easily go through it, and we had only to step over a few stones to get quite on the outside. _High-Priestess._ And you did step over the stones and get on the outside?