Indeed it was more than lovely, for as a lamp shines through an alabaster vase or a shell of pearl so did the spirit within this woman shine through her tear-stained face, making it mysterious as the night.
Then I understood, perhaps for the first time, that it is the spirit which gives true beauty both to maid and man and not the flesh.

The white vase of alabaster, however shapely, is still a vase alone; it is the hidden lamp within that graces it with the glory of a star.

And those eyes, those large, dreaming eyes aswim with tears and hued like richest lapis-lazuli, oh! what man could look on them and not be stirred?
"Merapi!" I whispered.
"Moon of Israel!" murmured Seti, "filled with the moon, lovely as the moon, mystic as the moon and worshipping the moon, her mother." "She is in trouble; let us help her," I said.
"Nay, wait a while, Ana, for never again shall you and I see such a sight as this." Low as we spoke beneath our breath, I think the lady heard us.

At least her face changed and grew frightened.

Hastily she rose, lifted the great bundle of straw upon which she had been kneeling and placed it on her head.