"It was given me
last night to win favor with the Pharaoh for thy sake, but the need of
that favor fell before it was won. But I despair not. What is thy
pleasure, Rachel? Shall I take thee to Atsu, or wilt thou stay with
me?"
"This nobleman will know of a surety that Atsu is my friend, but he
must guess the other Egyptian who hath helped me. If I go to Atsu I
take certain danger to him; if I stay with thee the peril must wander
ere it overtakes us. But I would not burden either. Is there no other
way?"
He shook his head. "It lies between me and Atsu to care for you, and
the peril for you and for us is equal. My name is as good as
published, for I am gifted with a length of limb beyond my fellows. I
was found before the statue and they, describing me to the priests,
will prove to the priests, who know my calling, that the son of Mentu
has committed sacrilege. And the priesthood would not wait till dawn
to take me."
"I will stay with thee, Kenkenes," she said simply.
He became conscious of the collar on his breast and drew it forth.
"With this," he began, assuming a lightness, "I fear I gave thee
offense one day and thou hast held it against me. Now let me heal that
wound and sweeten thy regard for me with this same offending trinket.
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