" The fan-bearer
laughed. "Forget not, this latter phrase, else the Pharaoh might fancy
I would take her to wife. Haste thee! and bring back Nak and Hebset
with thee to row the boat back, and help thee fetch her. She may have
a lover who might make trouble for thee alone. Get thee gone."
He took the reins from his servitor's hands and turned again toward
Rachel.
"I go forth to hunt, and there is danger in that pastime. I may not
return. It would be most fitting to bid me a tender farewell, but thou
art cruel. Nevertheless, I shall care for myself most diligently this
day, and return to thee in Memphis by nightfall. Farewell!" He sprang
into his chariot and, urging his horses, pursued the far-away
procession at a gallop.
Unas was already at the Nile-side, preparing to return to Memphis. To
Rachel it seemed as if she had been set free for a moment, that her
efforts to escape and her inevitable capture might amuse her tormentor.
And after the manner of the miserable captive so beset, she seized upon
the momentary release and sought to fly. The three little Hebrews
clung to her--the one that had answered Har-hat weeping bitterly and
remorsefully.
"Nay, weep not," she said in a hurried whisper.
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