# Chapter XII explained — The Tour

> Chapter companion for The Tour by Louis Couperus.

## What happens

Tamyris, a famed hetaira, persistently pursues Lucius, offering herself as his slave and lover. Despite her dramatic declarations and threats of haunting, Lucius rejects her advances and orders her removed. That night, however, he visits her but returns disillusioned.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Desire

Tamyris's obsessive and unrequited desire for Lucius drives the chapter, culminating in his disillusionment.

### Deception and Survival

Tamyris uses deception and bribery to gain access to Lucius, while Caleb's greed aids her scheme.

## Character check-ins

### Publius Lucius Sabinus

Lucius is visited by Tamyris, rejects her advances, but later visits her out of curiosity, only to be disappointed.

### Tamyris

The famous hetaira who professes her love for Lucius, offers herself as his slave, and threatens to haunt him after death.

### Caleb

Caleb facilitates Tamyris's entry to Lucius for bribes, then listens at the door.

### Tarrar

Tarrar guards Lucius's door but is unable to prevent Tamyris from entering.

## Key lines

> I am Tamyris. I am famed for my beauty; and I have kept kings waiting on the threshold of my villa on Lake Mareotis merely out of caprice.

Tamyris introduces herself as a celebrated beauty who has made kings wait at her door on a whim.

_Tamyris boasts of her power and allure to impress Lucius._

> Lucius, if you will love me, I shall be your slave and reveal the secret of Adonis to you.

Tamyris offers to become Lucius's slave and share the ultimate pleasure taught by Aphrodite.

_She uses the myth of Adonis to promise an unparalleled erotic experience._

> But, when I am dead, O Lucius, burnt out with love, I shall haunt you and my ghost will twine around you, without your being able to prevent it, and I shall suck your soul from your lips… until I have you inside me… inside me.

Tamyris threatens that after her death from unrequited love, her ghost will possess Lucius and consume his soul.

_Her threat blends erotic obsession with supernatural vengeance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_tour_se/chapters