Ta-meri
was more than usually brilliant, and Nechutes, flushed with her favor,
was playing splendidly and rejoicing beyond reason over his gains.
Opposite this group was another, the center of which was Masanath. She
sat in the richest seat in the house of Senci. It was ivory tricked
with gold; but small and young as the fan-bearer's daughter was, there
was none in that assembly who might queen it as royally as she from its
imperial depths. By her side was the boon companion of Rameses. He
was Menes, surnamed "the Bland," captain of the royal guard, a most
amiable soldier and chiefly remarkable because, of all the prince's
world, he was the only one that could tell the truth to Rameses and
tell it without offense.
On the floor between Masanath and Menes was the son of Amon-meses, the
Prince Siptah. He was a typical Oriental, bronze in hue, lean of
frame, brilliant of eye, white of teeth, intense in temperament and
fierce in his loves and hates. Religion comforted him through his
appetites; in his sight craft was a virtue, intrigue was politics, and
love was a fury. His eyes never left Ta-user for long, and his every
word seemed to be inspired by some overweening emotion.
Aside from these there were others in the group.
Pages:
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264