"Then why marry?"
"I marry because it is the absolute wish of my father to have an heir to his glory, but mainly because it is thy wish, my sovereign."
"Can it be that Tutmosis does not please thee?"
"I will not say that he does not please me. Tutmosis is fine-looking; he is the first exquisite in Egypt, be plays well, and takes prizes at games. His position, as commander of thy guard, is one of the highest. Still, were it not for the prayers of my father, and thy command I should not marry Tutmosis. Even as it is, I shall not be his wife. My property will suffice Tutmosis and the titles after my father; the rest he can find among dancing girls."
"But does he know of his misfortune?"
Hebron smiled.
"He knows this long time that even were I not the daughter of Antefa, but of the lowest dissector, I would not give myself to a man unless I loved him. I could love only a man who is above me."
"Art Thou speaking seriously?" asked Ramses in wonder.
"I am twenty years old. Since I was six years of age adorers have surrounded me; but I measured them quickly. And today I would rather hear learned priests than songs and declarations from youthful exquisites."
"In that case I ought not to sit near thee, Hebron, for I am not even an exquisite, and I have no priestly wisdom whatever."