Page:The Great Secret.djvu/303

Rh "No, she cannot see me any more than she can you or the black swarm that environ and possess her. Stand near me while I drive the evil from her."

The woman was now lying back in her chair, exhausted as Adela and Philip were, while the gloomy spirits had drawn back at the new presence with lowering brows; the black filmy cloud also had risen to. the ceiling, and seemed to cling there like smoke.

The sage approached the woman, with Philip and Adela on each side of him, and laying his hands upon her head, after a softly uttered prayer, cried out,—

"Come forth, thou unclean brood!"

At the command, so sternly uttered, the woman sprang from her chair, and uttering a loud scream, fell to the ground, writhing and frothing at the mouth as in a fit; then, while she still muttered and struggled, from her lips burst a thick black mass that poured upon the floor like ink, and then rose and floated up to the ceiling in smoke-like eddies, dragons, snakes, and other horrible monsters. As they left her, her struggles gradually ceased, until at last she lay passive and lifeless, with closed lids and pallid cheeks.

"You can leave her now for a little time, for she is freed from the evil influences that have poisoned her life, those malignant enemies of the human race. Go and rest; and while you are gone I will watch over her for you. But the victory is not yet gained, for the enemies will try again to get possession. Only time and your united efforts will give her the complete liberty. Go, get strength, and come again, for there is much to do still on earth."

Then Philip, obedient to the advice of the sage,