Behold! thou hast given speech to my own hidden
longings, summarized my difficulties, foreshadowed my misfortunes,
deplored them--aye, of a truth, heaved my very sighs for me!" His
voice fell and grew reverent. "I would call thee an immortal, but
there is a better title for thee--woman--a true woman--and thou dost
even uplift the name."
For the first time in the history of their acquaintance she laughed,
not mirthfully, but low and very happily, and the fleeting glimpse she
gave him of her eyes showed them radiant and glad. He caught her
hands, the bundle of herbs fell, and drawing her near him, he lifted
the pink palms to his lips and pressed them there.
"Nay," she said, recovering herself and withdrawing her hands, "I am
not an Egyptian but a Hebrew, unbiased by the prejudices of thy nation.
It is not strange that I can understand thy rebellion, which is but a
rift in thine Egyptian make-up through which reason shows. Any alien
could comfort thee as well."
"And thou hast no more sympathy for me than any alien would have?" he
asked, somewhat piqued.
"Is there any other sympathizing alien with whom I may compare and
learn?" she asked with a smile.
She took up her bundle of herbs again and seemed to be preparing to
leave him.
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