Path to God is in ourselves. The Seer and the Believer find eyes within their souls more piercing far than eyes that probe the things of earth. . . . Your noblest lights are clouds. Above is the sanctuary whence the true light flows.

In Seraphita's struggle with the "hosts of darkness," with "Species, Shapes, and devils," as David declares, is illustrated the same struggle and victory that is portrayed as Jesus' temptation in the wilderness and His crucifixion; it is the final rejection of all sense-allurements, the victory over their power to lead astray. That this battle must be waged and won alone is the absolute necessity for the soul that would ascend. David is powerless to help her, though she is his only treasure.

May there not be significance in his description of her as she fights it? "For the last five hours she stood erect, her eyes raised to heaven, her arms extended; she cries to God."

This battle is fought on the straight line, not on the curve. All five senses, which belong to the curve, must be absorbed in the one -- all-compelling aspiration -- the single eye, with an utter all-sufficient self-surrender, reliance only upon the Mighty One.

"The Light of God is defending her,"says David.

"She is only saying her prayers," says Monsieur Becker, as he looks at her through the window.

Wilfred is awed by what he vaguely perceives as he sees and listens to Seraphita -- an awe that has