His was the faith that is
insulted by a suggestion of wariness.
"While I dwelt obscurely in the Hak-heb," she began, "I was much among
the partizans of Amon-meses. They are friends of the Pharaoh now, so
what I tell is dead sedition. But I heard it when it lived, and thou
knowest the penalty invited by him who listens to criticism of the
king. Attend me, then, for the story is short.
"The history of Mesu is an old tale to thee. Thy noble grandsire's
first queen, Neferari Thermuthis, adopted the Hebrew, and when she died
he shared in the allotment of her treasure. But Mesu was an exile in
Midian at the time, and his share was left with Shaemus, then the heir,
to be given over to the foster-son when he should return. But Shaemus
died, and all thy father's older brothers, so the gracious Meneptah
came to wear the crown. To him fell the guardianship of the Hebrew's
treasure till what time he should return out of Midian. Mesu hath
returned. Hath thy father delivered to him his inheritance?"
Seti's face flamed, but, before he could speak, she went on. "Not so;
not one copper weight. It lies untouched in the treasury. Thine
august sire does not use it, because he hath wealth more than he can
spend.
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