The heir shook his head and smiled.
"Never could I have thought," said he, after a while, "that the story told by laborers before bedtime could have come true. But today I see the truth of it. Listen to me, Kama; perhaps Thou wilt stop, and not force me to withdraw the goodwill which I have for thee."
"He wishes now to tell a fable!" said the priestess, bitterly. "Thou hast told me one already, and I was profited by hearing it."
"This will profit thee if Thou understand it."
"Will there be anything about Jewish brats in it?"
"Of priestesses there will be; only listen carefully.
"The following thing happened here long ago, in Pi-Bast: [A true story.]
"Once Prince Satni, on the square before the temple of Ptah, saw a very beautiful woman. She surpassed all whom he had met before, and, what was more noteworthy, she had much gold on her person.
"She pleased the prince greatly, and when he learned that she was the daughter of the high priest, he sent his equerry to her with the following offer,
"'I will give thee gold rings if Thou wilt pass one short hour in my company.'