"Have it thy way, Ta-user," he said, with hesitation in his words, while he continued to gaze helplessly into her compelling eyes.
She laughed and kissed him. "I will see thee again soon." Putting him back from her, she descended the stairway.
In the shadow at the foot she came upon two figures, walking close together, the taller of the two bending over the smaller. The pair started apart at sight of the princess.
"A blessing on thy content, Ta-meri," the princess said. "And upon thine, Nechutes."
The cup-bearer bowed and rumbled his appreciation of her courtesy.
"Dost thou leave us, Ta-user?" his wife asked.
"Aye, I return to the Hak-heb. O, I am glad to go. Would I could leave the same quiet here in Tanis that I hope to find in Nehapehu."
"Aye, I would thou couldst. But is it not true, my Princess, that one may make his own content even in the sorriest surroundings?" Nechutes asked.
"For himself, even so. But the very making of one's selfish content may work havoc with the peace of another. That I have seen."
"Aye," Nechutes responded uncomfortably, wondering if the princess meant to confess her disappointment to them.