"Art thou then the priestess Kama? Was it to thee that that Greek sang to-night?" asked the prince, pressing her hands passionately. "What sort of man is that singer?" Kama shrugged her shoulders contemptuously. "He is attached to our temple," was the answer. Rameses' eyes flamed, his nostrils dilated, there was a roaring in his head. That same woman a few months before had made on him only a slight impression; but to-day he was ready to commit some mad deed because of her. He envied the Greek, and felt also indescribable sorrow at the thought that if she became his she must perish. "How beautiful thou art," said he. "Where dost thou dwell? Ah, I know; in that villa. Is it possible to visit thee?--Of course it is. If thou receive singers, thou must receive me. Art thou really the priestess guarding the fire of this temple?" "I am." "And are the laws so severe that they do not permit thee to love? Ei, those are threats! For me thou wilt make exception." "All Phœnicia would curse me; the gods would take vengeance," replied she, with a smile. Rameses drew her again toward him; again she tore herself free. "Have a care, prince," said she, with a challenging look. "Phœnicia is mighty, and her gods--" "What care I for thy gods or Phœnicia? Were a hair to fall from thy head, I would trample Phœnicia as I might a foul reptile." "Kama! Kama!" called a voice from the statue. She was frightened. "Thou seest they call me. They may have heard thy blaspheming." "They may have heard my anger." "The anger of the gods is more terrible." She tore away and vanished in the darkness of the temple. Rameses rushed after her, but was pushed back on a sudden. The whole temple between him and the altar was filled with an immense bloody flame, in which monstrous figures appeared,--huge bats, reptiles with human heads, shades-- The flame advanced toward him directly across the whole width of the building; and, amazed by this sight, which was new to him, the prince retreated. All at once fresh air was around him. He turned his head--he was outside the temple, and that instant the bronze doors closed with a crash behind him. He rubbed his eyes, he looked around. The moon from the highest point in the heavens had lowered toward the west. At the side of the column Rameses found his sword and burnous. He raised them, and moved down the steps like a drunken man. When he returned to his palace at a late hour, Tutmosis, on seeing his pale face and troubled look, cried with alarm,-- "By the gods! where hast thou been, Erpatr? Thy whole court is alarmed and sleepless." "I was looking at the city. The night is beautiful." "Dost thou know," added Tutmosis, hurriedly, as if fearing that some one else might anticipate him, "that Sarah has given thee a son?" "Indeed?--I wish no one in the retinue to be alarmed when I go out to walk." "Alone?" "If I could not go out alone when it pleases me, I should be the most wretched slave in Egypt," said Rameses, bitterly.