"I know thy trouble, Rachel," he began again soberly. "There is no
need that thou shouldst hurt thyself by the telling. But there are
details which would be helpful in aiding thee if I had them in mind.
Thou knowest better than I. Wilt thou aid me?"
Her golden head drooped till her face was bowed upon her hands. After
a little silence she answered him, her voice low with shame.
"This man sought to take me before, at Pa-Ramesu, but Atsu learned of
it in time and sent me to Masaarah. This morning I met him again--"
She paused, and Kenkenes aided her.
"Aye, I can guess--poor affronted child!"
"Atsu meant to escape with me again, but the servants of the nobleman
came before we could get away."
Kenkenes knew by her choice of words that she did not know the name of
her persecutor, and he did not tell her what it was. He could not bear
the name of Har-hat on her lips. She went on, after a little silence.
"I came--" she began, coloring deeply, "to leave thy collar with the
statue--I did not expect to find thee there."
How little it takes to dispirit a lover! How could he know that any
thought had led her to do that thing save an impulse actuated by
indifference or real dislike? His hope was immediately reduced to the
lowest ebb.
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