Part 14 (1/2)

Around the image shone thousands of burning vessels, of glowing lamps. There was a mist of light and a smoke of incense. And round about the image there was the incessant dance of the hierodules and the wors.h.i.+p of the sacrificing priests, all the night through. And ever, like an obsession, there was the rattle of the sistra, as though the whole immense temple were rattling.

Lucius, led by the three women, offered his sacrifice at one of the numberless altars. The priest p.r.o.nounced the sacred words and Lucius poured forth the libation and paid his gold coin.

He felt desperately unhappy.

”Sir,” asked one of the women, ”do you wish us all three to accompany you to one of the temple-chambers? Or would you have two of us go away?”

He laughed softly at their polite manners, like those of young and well-brought-up children. He gave a melancholy glance:

”I am unwell, I am very unwell,” he said. ”I think I will go home alone.”

”Your eyes are full of pain, sir,” said one of the hierodules.

And one of the others said:

”Cannot we comfort you and cure you?”

Lucius shook his head.

”Then let us lead you home,” said the third.

They left the temple.

”I live on the river,” said Lucius. ”I came in a thalamegus.”

They walked beside him, like shades. When they reached the barge, Lucius said:

”I am at home here. Let me thank you and pay you. May holy Isis protect you!”

”May holy Isis cure you, sir!” said the hierodules.

He gave them a gold coin apiece. They disappeared in the night, like shades. But under the palm-trees was another shade. It was Cora.

”I am not well,” said Lucius. ”I came back.”

”Do you wish to go to bed, my lord?” asked Cora.

”No, I should not be able to sleep,” replied Lucius. ”This night is strange and unreal. I will lie here under the trees.”

”I will leave you, my lord.”

”No, stay,” he said. ”I am ill and I feel lonely. Stay.”

”Suffer me to fetch you a cloak and a pillow, my lord.”

”I thank you.”