At the expiration of that time his suspense and
apprehension became more and more desperate at the passing of each new
day. In rapid succession he accepted and rejected the thought that the
messenger had played him false, had been assassinated and robbed; that
Meneptah had recalled the signet, or had added the penalty of suspense
to his indorsement of Har-hat's fiat of imprisonment.
When the climax of his sensations was reached, his self-sufficiency
collapsed and he entered into ceaseless supplication of the gods. He
vowed costly sacrifices to them, adding promises of self-abnegation
which became more comprehensive as his distress increased. At the end
of a month he had consecrated everything at his command. Then he
subsided into a numb endurance till what time his prayers should be
answered.
Eight days later, about mid-afternoon, while he lay on his pallet, the
door was flung open and his messenger stood without. With a cry,
Kenkenes leaped to his feet and wrenched the scroll from the man's
hand. With unsteady fingers he ripped off the linen cover and read.
The letter was from Hotep, conveying such information regarding his
imprisonment as we already know. If was couched in the gentlest terms,
and contained that essence of hope which loving spirits can extract
from the most desperate situation, for another's sake.
Pages:
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433