The works of Théophile Gautier . to perform any infamousand profane rite; she believed that a woman was atthe bottom of these nocturnal excursions, knd shewanted to know who her rival was. The cold kind-ness of Poeri had proved to her that his heart wasalready won ; otherwise, how could he have remainedinsensible to charms famous throughout Thebes andthe whole of Egypt ? Would he have pretended notto understand a love that would have filled with prideoeris, priests, temple scribes, and even princes of theroyal blood? On reaching the river shore, Poeri descended a fewsteps cut out of the slope
The works of Théophile Gautier . to perform any infamousand profane rite; she believed that a woman was atthe bottom of these nocturnal excursions, knd shewanted to know who her rival was. The cold kind-ness of Poeri had proved to her that his heart wasalready won ; otherwise, how could he have remainedinsensible to charms famous throughout Thebes andthe whole of Egypt ? Would he have pretended notto understand a love that would have filled with prideoeris, priests, temple scribes, and even princes of theroyal blood? On reaching the river shore, Poeri descended a fewsteps cut out of the slope of the bank, and bent downas if he were casting ofF a rope. Tahoser, lying flaton the summit of the bank, above which the top of herhead alone showed, saw to her great despair that themysterious stroller was casting off a light papyrus bark,narrow and long like a fish, and that he was makingready to cross the river. The next moment he spranginto the boat, shoved off with his foot, and sculled 184 Copjrpaht l:)Oi George 0 Sp. G I L e D ,5 G n . tbjb:!; ^ 4;:!; 4> •!> 4. THE ROMANCE OF A MUMMY into the open with a single oar placed at the stern ofthe skiff. The poor girl was plunged in grief and despair: shewas going to lose track of the secret which it was soimportant that she should learn. What was she todo ? Retrace her steps, her heart a prey to suspicionand uncertainty, the worst of evils ? She summonedall her courage and soon made up her mind. Itwas useless to think of looking for another boat. Shelet herself down the bank, drew off her dress in atwinkling, and fastened it in a roll upon her head ; thenshe boldly plunged into the river, taking care not tosplash. As supple as a water-snake, she stretched outher lovely arms over the dark waves in which quiveredthe reflection of the stars, and began to follow the boatat a distance. She swam superbly, for every day shepractised with her women in the vast piscina in herpalace, and no one cleaved the wat
Size: 1298px × 1924px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookidcu3192408649, bookyear1900
