He had sunk down upon his knees—a humble, cringing suppliant, and his shaven crown rested upon the floor, at Hugh’s feet, which he was kissing like any abject slave.
“Mark, old fellow, this is happy deliverance, is it not?”
“Do you wish to go, Girlie?” I asked.
“How can I stay? This man has said it truly, I am wedded to Maat-kha; my love can only bring sorrow on her whom I worship, shame perhaps… and I…” he added with a sigh, “I could not live now here, without her, while I am a prisoner in this land.… When I am gone… I think… we should both forget.
“Listen, Ur-tasen,” he said after a little while, “I still have much to say to thee. See that the Princess, whom thou hast outraged, is respectfully conveyed to her palace. The priests who have dared to lay hands upon her must grovel humbly at her feet until she hath deigned to forgive; if she chooses to mete out a punishment to them, then see that it is carried out, whatever it may be.… When that is done, do thou go back to Men-ne-fer.… I and my counsellor will follow later on.… Within thy temple I will speak to thee again.”
“Then… thou dost consent, oh, beloved of the gods?” whispered Ur-tasen, without daring to look up.
“Nay, I know not! Remember… I make no compact.… I cannot say.… But I fain would see what reparation thou canst offer to Princess Neit-akrit, and I must speak with my counsellor.”
“Wilt deign to allow the servants of the temple to accompany thee to the palace? The Pharaoh is dead… Maat-kha is Queen, and thou art the holy Pharaoh, since thou art her lord.”
“Nay, I would be alone with my counsellor. Go, Ur-tasen! ’Twere best that thou who wast witness to her crime shouldst tell Maat-kha that I know all.”
“I am ever ready to obey thy commands, oh, beloved of the gods, and in all Kamt thou dost not own a more humble slave than Ur-tasen, the high priest of the Most High.”