Then, with a mighty and joyful shout of: "_Osiris our hope! Osiris! Osiris!_" the people tore their black wrappings from their dress, revealing the white robes they wore beneath, and, as one man, they bowed before the God, and the feast was ended.
But for me the ceremony was only begun, for to-night was the night of my initiation.

Leaving the inner court I bathed myself, and, clad in pure linen, passed, as it is ordained, into an inner, but not the inmost, sanctuary, and laid the accustomed offerings on the altar.

Then, lifting my hands to heaven, I remained for many hours in contemplation, striving, by holy thoughts and prayer, to gather up my strength against the mighty moment of my trial.
The hours sped slowly in the silence of the temple, till at length the door opened and my father Amenemhat, the High Priest, came in, clad in white, and leading by the hand the Priest of Isis.

For, having been married, he did not himself enter into the mysteries of the Holy Mother.
I rose to my feet and stood humbly before them.
"Art thou ready ?" said the priest, lifting the lamp he held so that its light fell upon my face.

"O thou chosen one, art thou ready to see the glory of the Goddess face to face ?" "I am ready," I answered.
"Behold thee," he said again, in solemn tones, "it is no small thing.