the house of the priestess. The building was silent,
and inside only two tapers were burning.

When the prince knocked timidly, the priestess herself drew the door
open. In the dark antechamber she kissed his hand, whispering that she
would have died had the raging bull injured him in the arena.

"But now Thou must be at rest, since thy lover saved me," said the
prince.

When they entered the lighted chamber, Ramses saw that Kama was
weeping.

"What does this mean?" inquired he.

"The heart of my lord has turned from me," said she; "but perhaps
justly."

The heir laughed bitterly in answer.

"Then, sacred virgin, Thou art already his mistress, or about to be?"

"Mistress? Never! But I may become the wife of that dreadful Assyrian."

Ramses sprang from his seat.

"Am I dreaming," cried he, "or has Set cast his curse on me? Thou, a
priestess, guarding the fire before the altar of Astaroth, thou, who
under the threat of death must be a virgin, art Thou going to marry? In
truth, Phoenician deceit is worse than people's account of it."

"Hear me, lord," said Kama, wiping her tears away, "and condemn if I
deserve it. Sargon wishes to take me as his first wife. According to
our laws a priestess may, in very exceptional cases, become a wife, but
only if the man is of kingly origin. Sargon is a relative of King
Assar."

"And wilt Thou marry him?"

"If the supreme council of Tyrian priests command me, what can I do?"
replied she, bursting into tears again.

"And what is Sargon to that council?" asked the prince.

"Very much, perhaps," said Kama, with a sigh. "The Assyrians will take
Phoenicia in all likelihood, and Sargon will be its satrap."

"Art Thou demented?" exclaimed the prince.

"I say what I know. In our temple we have begun prayers the second time
to avert misfortune from Phoenicia. We had our first prayers before
Thou didst come to us."

"Why do ye pray now?"

"Because the Chaldean priest Istubar has just come to Egypt with
letters, in which King Assar appoints Sargon his ambassador to conclude
a treaty with you about the taking of Phoenicia."

"But I" interrupted the prince.

He wished to say, "know nothing," but he restrained himself, laughed,
and answered,

"Kama, I swear to thee, on the honor of my father, that while I live
Assyria will not take Phoenicia. Is that enough?"

"Oh, lord, lord!" cried she, falling at his feet.

"Then Thou wilt not become the wife of that rude fellow?"