If thou dost examine the records of the petitions
to thee thou wilt find that I asked her expressly for household
service. It is false that I had any other purpose in mind.
"As to the signet," he continued breathlessly, "there is no word upon
it concerning the palliation of a triple crime! Shall we invoke the
king in the blameless name of the holy One, and demand forgiveness in
the name of Him who forgiveth no sin? Furthermore, thou didst give the
writing into my hands, and in obedience to thy command, I acted as I
thought best. My purposes have been wilfully distorted!"
Meneptah frowned with perplexity. But while he pondered, Ta-user drew
near to him and said to him very softly:
"If his words be true, O my Sovereign, one lovely Israelite is as
serviceable as another. The young man loves this maiden. Doubt it
not! He is a worthy off-spring of that noble sire, Mentu. If he
offended, he hath suffered sufficiently. Let him go, I pray thee."
"It is my word against her surmises, O Meneptah," Har-hat insisted.
The king frowned more and stroked his cheek.
"Thine anger should be abated by this time, Har-hat," he said feebly.
"His rebellion is not yet broken. I have not the slave yet," the
fan-bearer retorted.
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