flower that the priests had given to Juanna. She to the left, on the
contrary, was clothed in a black robe round which was broidered the
shape of a blood-red snake, whose head rested upon her breast. Leonard
noticed that the appearance of this woman was that of extreme terror,
for she shrank and trembled, whereas that of the flower-crowned bride
was jubilant and even haughty.

For a moment the two women stood still while the people gazed upon them.
Then, at a signal from Nam, she who was crowned with flowers was led
before the altar, and thrice she bowed the knee to the idol, or rather
to Otter who sat upon it. Now all eyes were fixed on the dwarf, who
stared at the girl but made no sign, which was not wonderful, seeing
that he had no inkling of the meaning of the ceremony. As it chanced,
he could not have acted more wisely, at least in the interests of the
bride, for here, as elsewhere, silence was held to give consent.

"Behold, the god accepts," cried Nam, "the beauty of the maid is
pleasing in his eyes. Stand aside, Saga, the blessed, that the people
may look upon you and know you. Hail to you, wife of the Snake!"

Smiling triumphantly the girl moved back to her place by the altar, and
turned her proud face to the people. Then the multitude shouted:

"Hail to you, bride of the Snake! Hail to you, the blessed, chosen of
the god!"

While the tumult still lasted, the woman who was clad in the black robe
was led forward, and when it had died away she also made her obeisance
before the idol.