But it is the Hebrew's, and if it were delivered into his hands
it would redeem Egypt. I know it. There, it is done. My life is in
thy hands."
The prince looked at her with wide eyes, his cheeks flushed, his lips
silent.
"Wouldst thou have proof?" she continued recklessly. "Seek out Hotep,
who hath been keeper of the records at Pithom and ask him."
"Did he tell thee?" Seti demanded.
"Nay; I learned it from another source, not in the palace." The prince
lapsed into silence, his eyes averted. Ta-user regarded him intently.
Suddenly he raised his head.
"Dost thou know the amount of his share?" he asked.
"It is but a moderate part of the queen's fortune, since each of the
king's children by his many women was included."
Seti winced, for there was something dimly offensive in the calm way
she stated the bald fact.
"It is not much, as princely dowers go," she added casually.
"He shall have it," Seti said almost impatiently. "Out of mine own
wealth he shall have it--not as a bribe--he would not have it so--but
because it is his."
She caught his hands to her breast and cried out in delight.
"And I shall be thy lieutenant, and none shall know of it, save thee
and me."
He smiled up at her.
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