"
"If he means to blast us, wherefore hath he not spoken the cabalistic
word ere this?" the prince demanded.
"He had no personal provocation until late," the captain replied.
"Hath the taskmaster set him to making brick?" the prince laughed.
"Nay; but the priesthood plotted against his head, and he is angry."
Rameses raised himself and looked fixedly at the soldier. Again Menes
laughed.
"Spare me, my Prince! It is no longer a state secret. It is out and
over all Egypt. Why it came not to thine ears I know not. Perchance
every one is afraid to gossip to thee save mine unabashed self."
"Waster of the air!" Rameses exclaimed. "What meanest thou?"
"It seems that the older priests have a hieratic grudge against the
Israelite, and when he returned into Egypt they set themselves, with
much bustle, importance and method to silence him. Hither and thither
they sent for advice, permission and aid, till all the wheels of the
hierarchy were in motion, and the air quivered with portent and intent.
Vain ado! Superfluous preparation! The very letter which gave them
explicit and formal permission to begin to get ready to commence to put
away the Hebrew, fell--by the mischievous Hathors!--fell into the hands
of the victim himself!"
Rameses fell back into his chair, his lips twitching once or twice, a
manifestation of his genuine amusement.
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