"Holy Isis! Lady Masanath," he exclaimed; "where in all Egypt hast thou
hidden thyself these fourteen days? The whole army of the north hath
been searching after thee, and Rameses hath raved like a madman since
that day long past on which thou shouldst have arrived in Tanis."
"I have been on the way," she answered loftily. "The haste of the prince
is unseemly. I would not fatigue myself nor court disaster by
incautiousness, these perilous days."
Menes bowed. "I am reproved, and contrite. I forgot that I spoke with
my queen. But I am most grateful that thou didst permit me to find thee,
for Rameses sent me forth an hour since, with the hard alternative of
fetching thee to him or losing my head. But that he was sure of my
success is proved by the litter he sent between two horses for thee.
Wilt thou leave this and proceed in the other?"
Masanath answered by extending her hand to him. Three of the soldiers
laid their cloaks on the earth for her feet; six others let down the
litter and Menes assisted her into the sumptuous conveyance Rameses had
sent.
Another soldier, after rapid and low-spoken instructions from the
captain, whirled his horse about, saluted and took the road toward Tanis
at a gallop.
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