“Go on”—he said—“They sleep—why and when?”
“When they are weary”—responded Lilith. “When all is done that they can do, and when they need rest, they sleep, and in their sleep they change;—the change is——”
She ceased.
“The change is death,” said El-Râmi positively,—“for death is everywhere.”
“Not so!” replied Lilith quickly, and in a ringing tone of clarion-like sweetness. “The change is life,—for Life is everywhere!”
There ensued a silence. The girl turned away, and, bringing her hand slowly down from behind her head, laid it again upon her breast over the burning ruby gem. El-Râmi bent above her closely.
“You are dreaming, Lilith,”—he said as though he would force her to own something against her will. “You speak unwisely and at random.”
Still silence.
“Lilith!—Lilith!” he called.
No answer;—only the lovely tints of her complexion, the smile on her lips, and the tranquil heaving of her rounded bosom indicated that she lived.