" the princess said sorrowfully, "it was sacrifice.
He knew that Ta-meri loved thee and he nobly surrendered, but was the
hurt any less because he submitted?"

Nechutes released her and turned away. Ta-meri covered her face with
her hands and followed him. He did not pause for her, and she had to
hasten her steps to keep up with him. The princess looked after them
for a space and went on.

Straight through the corridors toward the royal apartments she went.
Her copper eyes had taken on a luminousness that was visible in the
dark. There was an elasticity in her step that spoke of exultation.

The Hathors were indulging her beyond reason.

A soldier of the royal guard paced outside the doorway of the king's
apartments. Ta-user flung him a smile and, passing him without a word
of leave-asking, smiled again and disappeared through the door.

Meneptah, who sat alone, raised his head from the scroll he was
laboriously spelling. If he had meant to resent the intrusion, the
impulse died within him at the charming obeisance the princess made.

As she rose at his sign, Har-hat entered. Ta-user came near to the
king, smiling triumphantly at the fan-bearer.

"The gods sped my feet," she said, "and I am here first. Hold thy
peace, noble Har-hat. Mine is the first audience."

Having reached the king's side, she dropped on her knees and folded her
hands on the arm of his chair.

"A boon, O Shedder of Light! So much thou owest me. Behold, I came to
thee on the hope of thy promises. What have I won therefrom? Naught
save, perchance, the smiles of Egypt at my disappointment."

Meneptah's face flushed.

"Say on, O my kinswoman," he said, moving uncomfortably.

"Kinswoman! And a year agone, I thought to hear, 'O my daughter.'"

The color in the king's face deepened.

"Wilt thou reproach me, Ta-user, for my son's wilfulness?" was his
tactless reply.

Ta-user shot an amused glance at the discomfited countenance of Har-hat
and went on.

"Nay, O my Sovereign. I do but wish to incline thine ear to me. Say
first thou wilt grant me my boon."

He looked at her doubtfully, but she drew nearer and lifted her face to
his.

"I do not ask for thy crown, or thy son, or for an army, or treasure,
or anything but that which thou wouldst gladly give me, because of thy
just and generous heart."

The doubt faded out of his face.

"Thou hast my word, Ta-user."

"And for that I thank thee." She bent her head and touch