"
"It is her goodness and her grace that win, Rameses. If that be sorcery,
let it prevail the world over. Give her freedom and save her
spotlessness."
"Har-hat shall not take her, I promise thee. I shall send her back to
her place in the brick-fields."
Masanath recoiled in horror. "To the brick-fields!" she cried. "Rachel
to the brick-fields!"
"I have said. Her Israelitish spotlessness will be secure there, and the
reduction of her charms will be the saving of Kenkenes."
"Alas! what have I done?" she cried. "I am as fit for the brick-fields
as Rachel. O, if thou but knew her, Rameses!"
"Nay, it is as well that I do not; she might bewitch me. And seeing that
she is born of slaves, how shall she be pampered above her parents? Put
the folly from thy mind, Masanath, and trouble me not concerning a single
slave. Shall I let one go, seeing that I am holding the body at the
sacrifice of Egypt?"
Great was Masanath's distress to make her seize him so beseechingly.
"Turn not away, my Lord," she begged. "See what havoc I have wrought for
Rachel when I sought to help her. And behold the honesty of thy boast of
love for me. My first boon and thou dost deny it!"
He laughed, and slipping an arm about her, pressed her to him.
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