They seemed to descend gradually to the waves; then they disappeared as though swallowed up, and falling of themselves into the jaws of the sun.

Salammbo, who watched them retiring, bent her head, and then Taanach, believing that she guessed her sorrow, said gently to her: "But they will come back, Mistress." "Yes! I know." "And you will see them again." "Perhaps!" she said, sighing.
She had not confided her resolve to any one; in order to carry it out with the greater discretion she sent Taanach to the suburb of Kinisdo to buy all the things that she required instead of requesting them from the stewards: vermilion, aromatics, a linen girdle, and new garments.

The old slave was amazed at these preparations, without daring, however, to ask any questions; and the day, which had been fixed by Schahabarim, arrived when Salammbo was to set out.
About the twelfth hour she perceived, in the depths of the sycamore trees, a blind old man with one hand resting on the shoulder of a child who walked before him, while with the other he carried a kind of cithara of black wood against his hip.

The eunuchs, slaves, and women had been scrupulously sent away; no one might know the mystery that was preparing.
Taanach kindled four tripods filled with strobus and cadamomum in the corners of the apartment; then she unfolded large Babylonian hangings, and stretched them on cords all around the room, for Salammbo did not wish to be seen even by the walls.

The kinnor-player squatted behind the door and the young boy standing upright applied a reed flute to his lips.