She ceased playing with the beads and stretched out her slender hand towards me.

Her lips moved.

She spoke in a sweet, slow voice, saying-- "O Watcher-by-Night, is it thus you greet her to whom you have given strength to stand once more beneath the moon?
Come hither and tell me, have you no kiss for one from whom you parted with a kiss ?" I heard.

Without doubt the voice was the very voice of Mameena (so well had Nombe been instructed).

Still I determined not to obey it, who would not be made a public laughing-stock for a second time in my life.