"As thou wilt, Ta-user," the king replied.
She caught up the roll, hesitated for a moment, and then kissed his cheek deliberately and was gone.
A moment later Har-hat overtook her in the hall.
"Hyena!" he exclaimed. "What is thy game?"
She laughed and shook the scroll in his face.
"It is my turn at the pawns now. Thou didst play between me and the crown. Now I shall harass thee for the joy of it. Thinkest thou I cared aught for the dreamer and his loves? Bah! I heard this tale eight months agone while I had naught to do but eavesdrop. Nay, it was but my one chance to vex thee."
Again she laughed and ran away to the queen's apartments.
"I am come to bid thee farewell," she said, kneeling before the pale little woman who loved the king. The princess put up her face to be kissed.
"Not my lips!" she cried warningly. "They yet tingle with the kiss of Meneptah, thy husband. I would not have the ecstasy spoiled by another's touch."
The queen flushed and kissed the cheek.