The message was sent to Emeralda, and the queen asked the pilgrim to come. She sent pages to conduct her to the throne where she sat.
And Psyche understood that Emeralda was afraid of treachery, afraid of the approach of soul, and therefore was so surrounded by armed men.
She passed between the pages, up the steps, over passages; then iron gates were opened, and a curtain was drawn aside.
And Psyche stepped into the golden hall of the tower.
There sat Emeralda in the light of a thousand candles, on a throne, under a canopy, surrounded by a great retinue.
“Holy pilgrim!” said Emeralda, “be welcome! You have come to bring me jewels?”
A cold shiver ran like a serpent over Psyche’s limbs, when she heard Emeralda’s voice. She had not thought that she would be afraid any more of her proud sister, but now when she saw her and heard her voice, she almost fainted from fear.
For her look was most terrible.
Emeralda had grown older, but she was still beautiful. Yet her beauty was horrible. In
