I shall ask thy liberty at his hands
and thou shalt live with me for ever, my one comfort, my one support."
"But Israel departeth shortly--"
"Thou shalt not go," Masanath declared hysterically. "I will not
suffer thee! The doors shall be barred against thy departure!"
Rachel turned her head away and pushed back her hair. Her plight was
desperate. Meanwhile Masanath went on.
"It is not like thee, Rachel, to desert me! I had not dreamed thee so
selfish--so cruel!"
"Sister!" Rachel cried, "thou torturest me!" On a sudden Masanath
raised her head and gazed at the Israelite.
"What possessed thee to go?" she demanded. "Is it Rameses who hath
beset thee?"
Rachel shook her head and avoided Masanath's eye.
"Tell me," the Egyptian insisted. "There is mystery in this. What had
my father's man to do with thy hasty resolution to depart?"
There was no answer. Masanath put the Israelite back from her a little
and repeated her question.
"I can not tell thee," Rachel responded slowly.
Silence fell, and Masanath spoke at last, in a decided voice.
"Thou art within my house, and so under my command. Thou shalt not
leave me! I have said!" She turned to go back to her cushions.
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