It robs me of qualms and adds instead a dark delight in
that which I shall do!"
She turned toward Masanath, walking swiftly. The fan-bearer's
daughter, stricken with panic, fled, nor paused until she had passed
far beyond the chamber of Ta-user.
Cowering in a friendly niche, she waited until the princess had
disappeared, and then only after a long time was she sufficiently
reassured to reach her own apartments.
It was the next day's noon before Masanath saw her father. Then he
came with light step as she sat in her room. Approaching from behind
her, he took her face between his hands, and tilting it back, kissed
her.
"I give thee joy, Masanath. Thou hast melted the iron prince."
She rose and faced him. "Did Rameses tell thee I loved him?" she
demanded, a faint hope stirring in her heart.
"Nay, far from it. He told me, and laughed as he said it, that if thy
soft heart had any passion for him it was hate."
"Said he that? Nay, now, my father, thou seest I can not marry him."
There was relief in her voice, and she drew near to the fan-bearer and
invited his arms. He sat down instead, and drawing up a stool with his
foot, bade her sit at his feet.
"Listen! It is a whim of the Hathors to conceal one's own feelings
from him at times, that he may accomplish his own undoing, being blind.
Pages:
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410