"The anger of the gods is more terrible."
She tore away and vanished in the darkness of the temple. Ramses 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.
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 Ramses 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?"