But he had not gone two paces before she overtook him.
"Approach thy work from various directions," she cautioned, "else thou
wilt wear a path which may spy on thee one day."
The moment the words passed her lips, Kenkenes, who still held the
collar, put it about her neck, passing his hands under the thick
plaits, and snapped the clasp accurately.
The act was done instantly, and with but a single movement. He was
gone, laughing on his way, before she had realized what he had done.
There was revel in the young man's veins that evening, but the great
house of his father was silent and lonely. If he would find a
companion he must leave its heavy walls. His resolution was not long
in making nor his instinct slow in directing him. An hour after the
evening meal, when he entered the chariot that waited, he had laid
aside the simple tunic, and in festal attire was, every inch of his
many inches, the son of the king's favorite artist. His charioteer
drove in the direction of the nomarch's house.
The portress conducted him into the faintly lighted chamber of guests
and went forth silently. Kenkenes interpreted her behavior at once.
"There is another guest," he thought with a smile, "and I can name him
as promptly as any chanting sorcerer might.
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