In the depth of the temple two lamps were burning before the statue of Astaroth. Some strange illumination from above caused the statue to be perfectly visible. Rameses gazed at it. That was a gigantic woman with the wings of an ostrich. She wore a long robe in folds; on her head was a pointed cap, in her right hand she held a pair of doves. On her beautiful face and in her downcast eyes was an expression of such sweetness and innocence that astonishment seized the prince, for she was the patroness of revenge and of license the most unbridled. "Phœnicia has shown me one more of her secrets. A strange people," thought Rameses. "Their man-eating gods do not eat, and their lewdness is guarded by virgin priestesses and by a goddess with an innocent face." Thereupon he felt that something had slipped across his feet quickly, as it were a great serpent. Rameses drew back and stood in the streak of moonlight. "A vision!" said he to himself. Almost at that moment he heard a whisper,-- "Rameses! Rameses!" It was impossible to discover whether that was a man's or a woman's voice, or whence it issued. "Rameses! Rameses!" was heard a whisper, as if from the ceiling. The prince went to an unilluminated place and, while looking, bent down. All at once he felt two delicate hands on his head. He sprang up to grasp them, but caught only air. "Rameses!" was whispered from above. He raised his head, and felt on his lips a lotus flower; and when he stretched his hands to it some one leaned on his arm lightly. "Rameses!" called a voice from the altar. The prince turned and was astounded. In the streak of light, a couple of steps distant, stood a most beautiful man, absolutely like the heir to the throne of Egypt. The same face, eyes, youthful stature, the same posture, movements, and dress. The prince thought for a while that he was before some great mirror,--such a mirror as even the pharaoh could not have. But soon he convinced himself that his second was a living man, not a picture. At that moment he felt a kiss on his neck. Again he turned, but there was no one; meanwhile his second self vanished. "Who is here? I wish to know!" cried the angry prince. "It is I--Kama," answered a sweet voice. And in the strip of light appeared, a most beautiful woman, naked, with a golden girdle around her waist. Rameses ran up and seized her by the hands. She did not flee. "Art thou Kama?--No, thou art-- Yes, Dagon sent thee on a time, but then thou didst call thyself Fondling." "But I am Fondling, too," replied she, naïvely. "Is it thou who hast touched me with thy hands?" "I." "How?" "Ao! in this way," answered she, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissing him. Rameses seized her in his arms, but she tore herself free with a force which no one could have suspected in such a slight figure.