"The gods judge me if my every word is not true! Har-hat imprisoned
him because the gallant young man loved the maiden whom Har-hat would
have taken for his harem."
Meneptah's face blazed. "Go on," he said sharply.
"The fan-bearer had some little right on his side, for the young man
had committed sacrilege in carving a statue, and had stolen the maiden
away and hidden her when Har-hat would have taken her. The maiden is
an Israelite, and her hiding-place is known to this day only by herself
and her unhappy lover. Now comes thy villainy, O thou short of
temper," she continued, looking at the fan-bearer.
"Thy father, O Shedder of Light, the Incomparable Pharaoh who reigns in
Osiris, gave Mentu a signet--"
The king interrupted. "I know of that. Go on."
"When Kenkenes was overtaken and thrust into prison he sent this signet
to thee, O my Sovereign, with a petition for his release and for the
maiden's freedom. The writing and the signet came into Har-hat's hands
and he ignored them, though the signet commanded him in the name of the
holy One." Her voice lowered with awe and dismay at his unregeneracy.
"Kenkenes is still in prison."
"Now, by the gods, Har-hat!" Meneptah exclaimed angrily.
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