"Nay," he observed, as he bent over Senci's hand, "never were two maids alike, and I shall not strive to make them so."
"Thy father hath most graciously kept his word in sending us a protector," Senci continued, "My nosegay of beauties drooped last night when they arrived from On with my brother sick, aboard. They feared they must stop with me in Memphis for want of a man."
"It was the first word I heard from my father this morning and the last when I left him even now: 'Io's father hath failed her through sickness, so do thou look after the Lady Senci—and the gods give thee grace for once to do a thing well!'"
The lady smiled and patted his arm. "He did not fear; he knew whom he chose. But behold our gallant escort—the nomarch ahead, beside us the new cup-bearer and behind us all the rank of the north."
"Aye, and when we cast off thou mayest look for the new murket on thy right."
The lady blushed. "I have not seen thy father yet, this morning."
"So? His robes must fit poorly."
At that moment a gang-plank was run across from the broad flat stern of the nomarch's boat to the prow of Senci's, a carpet was spread on it, and Ta-meri, with little shrieks and tottering steps, came across it. Kenkenes put out his arms to her and lifted her down when she arrived.
"Wonder brought me," she cried. "I dreamed I saw thee kiss a maiden thrice and I came to see if it were true."
"O most honest vision! It is true and this is she," Kenkenes answered, indicating Io.