Seti contemplated her with bewilderment in his face. The youth and
innocence in his young soul revolted, but there was another element
that yielded and was pleased.

"Have it thy way, Ta-user," he said, with hesitation in his words,
while he continued to gaze helplessly into her compelling eyes.

She laughed and kissed him. "I will see thee again soon." Putting him
back from her, she descended the stairway.

In the shadow at the foot she came upon two figures, walking close
together, the taller of the two bending over the smaller. The pair
started apart at sight of the princess.

"A blessing on thy content, Ta-meri," the princess said. "And upon
thine, Nechutes."

The cup-bearer bowed and rumbled his appreciation of her courtesy.

"Dost thou leave us, Ta-user?" his wife asked.

"Aye, I return to the Hak-heb. O, I am glad to go. Would I could
leave the same quiet here in Tanis that I hope to find in Nehapehu."

"Aye, I would thou couldst. But is it not true, my Princess, that one
may make his own content even in the sorriest surroundings?" Nechutes
asked.

"For himself, even so. But the very making of one's selfish content
may work havoc with the peace of another. That I have seen."

"Aye," Nechutes responded uncomfortably, wondering if the princess
meant to confess her disappointment to them.

"It makes me quarrel at the Hathors. The most of us deserve the ills
that overtake us. But he--alas--none but the good could sing as he
sang!"

The cup-bearer dropped his indifference immediately.

"Ha! Whom dost thou mean?" he demanded.

"Oh!" the princess exclaimed. "Perchance I give thee news."

"If thou meanest Kenkenes, indeed thou dost give us news. What of him?
We know that he is dead. Is there anything further?"

"Of a truth, dost thou not know? Nay, then, far be it from me to tell
thee--anything." She passed round them and started to go on. In a few
paces, Nechutes overtook her.

"Give us thy meaning, Ta-user," he said earnestly. "Kenkenes was near
to me--to Ta-meri. What knowest thou?"

"The court buzzes with it. Strange indeed that ye heard it not. It is
said, and of a truth well-nigh proved, that the heart of the singer
broke when Ta-meri chose thee, Nechutes, and that--that the disaster
which befell him may have been sought."

Nechutes seized her arm, and Ta-meri cried out,

"He sent Ta-meri to me," the cup-bearer said wrathfully. "Thy news
is--"

"Alas! Nechutes,