"It is my turn at the pawns now. Thou didst play between me and the
crown. Now I shall harass thee for the joy of it. Thinkest thou I
cared aught for the dreamer and his loves? Bah! I heard this tale
eight months agone while I had naught to do but eavesdrop. Nay, it was
but my one chance to vex thee."
Again she laughed and ran away to the queen's apartments.
"I am come to bid thee farewell," she said, kneeling before the pale
little woman who loved the king. The princess put up her face to be
kissed.
"Not my lips!" she cried warningly. "They yet tingle with the kiss of
Meneptah, thy husband. I would not have the ecstasy spoiled by
another's touch."
The queen flushed and kissed the cheek.
"Farewell, and peace go with thee," she said quietly.
The princess retained her composure until she reentered the hall.
There she flung her arms above her head and laughed silently.
"Of a truth, I take peace with me, and I leave discord behind!"
[1] Shadoof--a pole with a bucket attached, like the old well-sweep,
used by rustics to dip water from the Nile.
CHAPTER XXXII
RACHEL'S REFUGE
Rachel stood by the parapet on the top of the Memphian house of
Har-hat. About her were no evidences of her former serfdom.
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