She bowed herself once again and for a longer space as she placed the necklace in the priest’s hands and took a step as if to depart.
But the priest detained her.
“What do you ask from the Goddess in return for these precious offerings?”
She smiled and shook her head, saying—
“I ask for nothing.”
Then she walked along the row of women, took a rose from a basket and raised it to her lips as she went out.
One by one all the women followed her and the door closed upon an empty temple.
Demetrios had remained alone concealed in the bronze pedestal.
He had not lost a gesture or a word of the whole of this scene, and when it was ended he remained for a long while without moving, being once again in a state of torment, passion and irresolution.