he adroit
declarations of another, a strange feeling rose in him, a mixture of
sadness, desire, and jealousy.

If he could have had Kama at every call, she would have become
repulsive quickly, and perhaps he would have fled from her. But Death,
standing on the threshold of her bedchamber, an enamored singer, and,
finally, that humiliating position of the highest dignitary before a
priestess, all this created a condition which for Ramses was unknown
till that time, hence enticing.

And this was why he had appeared almost every evening of ten successive
days in the gardens of the goddess Astaroth, shielding his face from
all who passed him.

Once, when he had drunk much wine at a feast in his palace, Ramses
slipped out with a settled purpose.

"To-night," said he to himself, "I will enter Kama's dwelling; as to
her adorers let them sing at her windows."

He passed through the city quickly; but in the gardens of the temple he
lessened his steps, for again he was shamefaced.

"Has it ever been heard," thought he, "that the heir of a pharaoh ran
after women like a poor scribe who cannot borrow ten drachmas anywhere?
All women come to me, so should this one."

And he was ready then to turn back to his palace.

"But she cannot come," said he to himself, "for they would kill her."

He stopped and hesitated.

"Who would kill her, Hiram, who believes in nothing, or Dagon, who
knows not himself what he is? True, but there is a multitude of other
Phoenicians in Egypt, and hundreds of thousands of wild and fanatical
pilgrims are prowling around here. In the eyes of those idiots Kama
would commit sacrilege were she to visit me."

So he went toward the villa. He did not even think that danger might
threaten him there, him, who without drawing his sword might by a mere
look bring the whole world to his feet; he, Ramses, and danger!

When the prince came out from among trees, he saw that Kama's house was
more brightly lighted and more noisy than usual. In fact, the terrace
and the rooms were filled with guests, and around the villa were
throngs of people.

"What band is this?" thought Ramses.

It was an uncommon assemblage. Not far from the house was an immense
elephant, bearing on his back a gilded litter with purple curtains. At
the side of the elephant, neighing and squealing, and, in general,
acting impatiently, were horses with large necks and legs, with tails
plaited, and with something on their heads like metal