''Twas Saronia.'
'Saronia!' gasped the priestess, and, uttering a piercing shriek, she fell back into the arms of Chios.
He heard footsteps approaching. He knew he must fly. Then, laying her on a couch, he kissed her lovingly, saying:
'We must part, but will meet again. Saronia, dost hear me? I will see thee at the Temple service: an oleander in thy bosom, I come to thee; a myrtle flower, thou comest to me. Farewell, loved one!'
And he plunged into the darkness, and the thunders roared as if the heavens would rend themselves in twain.
The priestess nerved herself and reclined listlessly. When the attendant priestesses entered, she was pale as the white silk enfolding her form.
'What ails the noble lady?' said the foremost of the beautiful maidens.
'It has passed,' said Saronia. 'Summon the guard; bid them go to the Temple and bring me word if disaster has fallen and smitten it. Hear ye the mighty voices of the gods! See the quivering messengers of fire! Haste away and bring me news!'
Then, falling into one of her mysterious reveries, from which no priestess dared disturb her, they noiselessly glided from the room one by one, each bearing a lamp of gold, and Saronia was left alone.