"Hast Thou heard the words of the worthy Hiram? Phoenicia forgives thee the greatest offence! That man is faithful to me indeed. And if he has said that, what answer wilt Thou find?"
Kama kissed his hands, whispering,
"Thou hast won me I am thy slave. But leave me in peace today, respect the house which belongs to Astaroth."
"Then Thou wilt remove to my palace?" asked the prince.
"O gods, what hast Thou said? Since the sun first rose and set, no priestess of As But this is difficult! Phoenicia, lord, gives thee a proof of attachment and honor such as no son of hers has received at any time."
"Then?" interrupted the prince.
"But not today, and not here," implored Kama.
CHAPTER XXXVIII,
LEARNING from Hiram that the Phoenicians had given him the priestess, Ramses wished to have her in his house at the earliest, not because he could not live without her, but because she had become for him a novelty.
Kama delayed her coming; she implored the prince to leave her in peace till the inflow of pilgrims diminished, and above all till the most noted among them should go from Pi-Bast. Were she to become his favorite during their presence, the income of the temple might decrease and danger threaten the priestess.