But
mark me! Thou shalt not advise me when I rule over Egypt. So take
heed to my father's health and see that his life is prolonged, for with
its end shall end thine advisership. What more?"
"So thou observest these things I am satisfied."
"Gods! but thou art moderate. Masanath is worth more than that. Do I
take her?"
"She does not love thee."
The prince waved his hand and repeated his question.
"I shall speak with her," Har-hat responded, "and give thee her word."
For a moment the prince contemplated the fan-bearer, then he turned
without a word and strode out of the chamber. In a corridor near his
own apartments he overtook the daughter of Har-hat. Her woman was with
her.
The prince stepped before them.
The attendant crouched and fled somewhere out of sight. Masanath drew
herself to the fullest of her few inches and waited for Rameses to
speak.
"Come, Masanath," he said, "thou canst reach the limit of thy power to
be ungracious and but fix me the firmer in my love for thee. I am come
to tell thee that I have won thee from thy father."
"Thou hast not won me from myself," she replied.
"Nay, but I shall."
"Thou dost overestimate thyself," she retorted. Catching up the fan
and chaplet that her woman had let fall she made as though to run past
him.
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