To Kenkenes,
it seemed that the youth had been on the point of entering, but instead
he apologized inaudibly and walked away.
A great rush of impatience, suspense, eagerness and heart-hunger fell
on the young artist the instant he knew his footsteps were turned
toward Memphis and Rachel. The six days that must intervene between
the present time and the moment he entered the old capital seemed
insufferable. Never did a lover so fume against the inexorable
deliberation of time and the obstinate length of distance. The
preliminaries to departure seemed to accumulate and lengthen--and
lessen in importance. Haste consumed him. Under a momentary impulse,
with all seriousness he began to consider his own fleetness of foot as
more expedient than travel by boat. But he put the thought aside, and
summoning as much patience as was possible, set about with all speed
preparing to depart.
Thebes had not awakened from the coma of horror into which it had
lapsed during the great plagues. It was Kenkenes' first visit to the
city since he had left it for the desert, eight months before. Now,
the change in the great capital of the south impressed itself upon him,
in spite of his haste and his all-absorbing thought of Memphis.
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