den's freedom. The writing and the signet came into Har-hat's hands
and he ignored them, though the signet commanded him in the name of the
holy One." Her voice lowered with awe and dismay at his unregeneracy.
"Kenkenes is still in prison."

"Now, by the gods, Har-hat!" Meneptah exclaimed angrily. "I would not
have dreamed such baseness in thee!"

The fan-bearer was stupefied with wrath and astonishment. Words
absolutely refused to come to him. Ta-user accused him with the wide
eyes of fearless righteousness. Presently she went on:

"Already hath he languished eight months in prison. His offense
against the gods and against the laws of the land hath been expiated.
I would have thee set him free now, O Meneptah, that he may return to
his love and comfort her."

Meneptah reached for the reed pen.

"Hold!" cried Har-hat.

"Thou dost forget thyself, good Har-hat," the princess said with
dignity. "Thou speakest with thy sovereign."

"But I will be heard!" he exclaimed violently. "Hear me! I pray thee,
Son of Ptah!"

Meneptah removed the wetted pen and waited.

"Thou didst give the maiden to me thyself!" he began precipitately.
"Thy document of gift I have yet. He stole her, hid her away,
committed sacrilege and abused two of my servants nigh unto death when
they sought for her. Hath he any more right to her than I? Art thou
assured that he hath an honorable purpose in mind for her? She is
comely and well instructed in service, and I would have put her in my
daughter's train, even as the Hebrew Miriam was lady-in-waiting to
Neferari Thermuthis. If thou dost examine the records of the petitions
to thee thou wilt find that I asked her expressly for household
service. It is false that I had any other purpose in mind.

"As to the signet," he continued breathlessly, "there is no word upon
it concerning the palliation of a triple crime! Shall we invoke the
king in the blameless name of the holy One, and demand forgiveness in
the name of Him who forgiveth no sin? Furthermore, thou didst give the
writing into my hands, and in obedience to thy command, I acted as I
thought best. My purposes have been wilfully distorted!"

Meneptah frowned with perplexity. But while he pondered, Ta-user drew
near to him and said to him very softly:

"If his words be true, O my Sovereign, one lovely Israelite is as
serviceable as another. The young man loves this maiden. Doubt it
not! He is a worthy off-spring of th