So thou hast set up resistance against a thing greater than
gods and men and I can not see thee undone. I love thee, but I should be
an untrue friend did I abet thee in thy lawlessness. Submit gracefully
and thy cause shall have an audience with Law some day--if it have merit."
The young sculptor's face was passive, but his eyes were fixed sadly on
the remote stars strewn above him. He felt inexpressibly solitary. His
zest in his convictions did not flag, but it seemed that the whole world
and the heavens had receded and left him alone with them.
Again Hotep spoke.
"There is more court gossip," he began cheerily, as if no word had been
said that could depress the tone of the conversation.
Kenkenes accepted the new subject gladly.
"Out with it," he said. "Within the four walls of my world I hear naught
but the clink of mallet and falling stone."
"The breach between Meneptah and Amon-meses, his mutinous brother, may be
healed by a wedding."
"So?"
"Of a surety--nay, and not of a surety, either, but mayhap. A match
between the niece of Amon-meses, the Princess Ta-user, and the heir,
Rameses."
Kenkenes sat up again in his earnestness. "Nay," he exclaimed. "Never!"
"Wherefore, I pray thee?" Hotep asked with a deprecating smile.
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