"
"It was the first word I heard from my father this morning and the last
when I left him even now: 'Io's father hath failed her through
sickness, so do thou look after the Lady Senci--and the gods give thee
grace for once to do a thing well!'"
The lady smiled and patted his arm. "He did not fear; he knew whom he
chose. But behold our gallant escort--the nomarch ahead, beside us the
new cup-bearer and behind us all the rank of the north."
"Aye, and when we cast off thou mayest look for the new murket on thy
right."
The lady blushed. "I have not seen thy father yet, this morning."
"So? His robes must fit poorly."
At that moment a gang-plank was run across from the broad flat stern of
the nomarch's boat to the prow of Senci's, a carpet was spread on it,
and Ta-meri, with little shrieks and tottering steps, came across it.
Kenkenes put out his arms to her and lifted her down when she arrived.
"Wonder brought me," she cried. "I dreamed I saw thee kiss a maiden
thrice and I came to see if it were true."
"O most honest vision! It is true and this is she," Kenkenes answered,
indicating Io.
Ta-meri flung up her hands and gazed at the blushing girl with wide
eyes.
"Enough," she said at last.
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