this villa. I shall not be
satisfied till my servants cease to look at me with fear and without
confidence, and on her with compassion."

The Phoenician woman was less and less pleasing to Ramses.

"Kama," said he, "consider what I tell thee: If a servant here were to
kick in the teeth a female dog that was suckling its young, I should
hunt that servant out of this villa. Thou hast struck with thy foot
between the eyes a woman and a mother. In Egypt mother is a great word.
A good Egyptian reverences three things beyond all others, the gods,
the pharaoh, and his own mother."

"Oh, woe to me!" cried Kama, throwing herself on the couch. "Here is my
reward, wretched woman, for denying my goddess. One week ago men placed
flowers at my feet and burnt incense before me, but today."

The prince walked out of the chamber quietly, and saw the priestess
again only after some days had passed.

But she was still in evil humor.

"I implore thee, lord," cried she, "think a little more of me. My
servants even begin to contemn me, the warriors look at me with a
frown, and I am afraid that some one in the kitchen may poison the food
prepared for me."

"I was occupied with the army, so I could not visit thee," replied the
viceroy.

"That is untrue," answered Kama, in anger. "Yesterday Thou wert outside
the entrance to this house, and then Thou didst go to the servants'
house, where dwells the Jewess. Thou didst this to show."

"Enough!" interrupted the prince. "I was neither here nor at the
servants' house. If it seemed to thee that Thou wert looking at me,
that means that thy lover, that worthless Greek, not only has not left
Egypt, but even dares to wander through my garden."

The Phoenician woman heard him with fright.

"Astaroth!" cried she, suddenly. "Save me! Hide me, O earth! for if
that wretch Lykon returns mighty misfortune is threatening me."

The prince laughed, but he had not patience to listen to the complaints
of the ex-priestess.

"Be at rest," said he, when going, "and wonder not if after some days
men bring in thy Lykon bound like a jackal. That insolent ruffian has
worn out my patience."

On returning to his palace the prince summoned Hiram and the chief of
police in Pi-Bast. He told them that Lykon, the Greek with a face
resembling his, was prowling around among the palaces, and he gave
command to seize him. Hiram swore that if Phoenicians helped the police
the Greek would be taken. But the chief shoo