But the interrogation was emphatic, and she awaited an
answer.
"I have no weight with my father," he said soberly. "Thou knowest that
Egypt will never have peace until the Hebrews depart. But I can not
persuade my father to release them and I can not persuade the Israelite
to content himself to stay. Thou dost demand much of me if thou dost
demand of me the impossible."
As much of contempt as it was wise to show glimmered in her eyes.
"And thou art at thy wits' end?" she asked.
"A little way to go. Help me, Ta-user. Bear with me."
She moved closer to him and absently smoothed down the fine locks,
disordered by the wind. Presently she lifted his face and said with
sudden impulsiveness:
"Dost, of a truth, believe everything that is told thee?"
"Am I over-credulous?" he asked.
"Thou art. Thou believest this Hebrew to be honest in his show of
interest in his people?"
"I can not doubt him, Ta-user. One has but to see him to be convinced."
"One has but to see him to know that he might be coaxed into
passiveness with that for which an Israelite would sell his
mummy--gold!"
"Nay! Nay!" Seti exclaimed. "Thou dost wrong him! He is the soul of
misdirected zeal. His is an earnestness not to be frightened with
death nor abated with bribes.
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