_Cora._ I do not comprehend your simile, my heart speaks in a plain and simple manner. I always thought that love must be pleasing to the gods, I have made the experiment, and the event has justified my opinion. The gods cannot be offended with me; for say, good mother, when Cora serves in the temple, does a sudden gloom overcast the heavens, does the sun conceal himself behind a cloud? _High-Priestess._ No, your guilty course has been pursued only in darkness—the rays of the great light have never witnessed your crimes. _Cora._ Yes, they also have witnessed my love. On this very morning I solemnly embraced Alonzo in the presence of the sun himself. _High-Priestess._ (_With a start of horror_) Embraced Alonzo? _Cora._ Pressed my lips, my breast, to his. _High-Priestess._ Your lips—your breast! _Cora._ And our god smiled upon us. _High-Priestess._ No more, unhappy girl!—Go and conceal yourself before I repent that I made you a promise of secrecy. It is not _your_ honour alone that is concerned in this affair, it is the honour of our whole order.—Go, and settle as well as you can with your heart, whether it may find the extinction of your passion pleasing, or displeasing; only of this be allured, that you must see Alonzo no more. _Cora._ (_Resolutely_) I will no longer remain a priestess of the sun. _High-Priestess._ Vain resolution!—Death only can release you from his service. _Cora._ But you say that I am criminal.—Well, then, I am no longer worthy to serve the sun. If however I devote to him in my place, an innocent creature, pure and free from sin, will not this be pleasing to him, shall I not then have discharged my duty, and be released from my oath. _High-Priestess._ I do not understand you. _Cora._ The innocent creature which I bear within me shall be devoted to the sun. (_The High-Priestess starts back, attempts to speak, but is unable; she totters and is obliged to support herself against a chair_) What is the matter?—Have you misunderstood me?—The innocent creature which I bear within me shall be devoted to the sun. _High-Priestess._ (_Running about in a phrenzy_) Idali!—Amazili!—Runa!—Ye daughters of the Sun, hasten hither!—Ah!—I cannot support myself!—(_She sinks down upon a chair_) SCENE IV.—_Enter IDALI, AMAZILI, and several other VIRGINS OF THE SUN from different parts._ _All talking together._ What is the matter?—What has happened?—She is in a swoon!—Cora, tell us what is the matter?—What has thrown her into this agitation? _Cora._ (_With great composure_) I do not know.