"First am I a king--next a lover," he said. "Thy prayer seeketh to come
between me and my rule over the Israelites. Ask for something which hath
naught to do with my scepter."
"Surely if thou sendest her to the brick-fields Kenkenes will go into
slavery with her," she persisted, enduring his clasp in the hope that he
might soften.
"Then it were time for the dreamer to be awakened by his prince."
"Thou wilt not come between them!" she exclaimed.
"Nay, no need. Seven days of the lash and the sun of the slave-world
will heal Kenkenes."
"Thou shalt see!" Masanath declared, endeavoring to free herself. "And
the gods judge thee for thy savage use of maidenhood!"
Again he laughed, and this time he kissed her in spite of her resistance.
"The gods judge me rather for this sweeter use of maidenhood," he said.
"Let them continue to prosper me in it and hasten the day of her
willingness. Meanwhile," he continued, still holding her, as if he
enjoyed the mastery over her, "get thee back to thy sleep and put the
thought of slaves out of thy mind. To-morrow thou settest thy feet in
the path to the throne; to-morrow there will be ceremonies and prayers
and blessings out of number; and to-morrow sunset thou art no longer
betrothed but a bride! My bride! Go now, and be proud of me if thou
canst not love me!"
He released her and, as he entered his apartments, lifted the curtain and
stood for an instant looking back at her.
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