"Is it Thou who hast touched me with thy hands?"
UJ
"How?"
"Ao! in this way," answered she, throwing her arms around his neck, and kissing him.
Ramses seized her in his arms, but she tore herself free with a force which no one could have suspected in such a slight figure.
"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.
Ramses' 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 today 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?"