Rachel shook her head and avoided Masanath's eye.
"Tell me," the Egyptian insisted. "There is mystery in this. What had my father's man to do with thy hasty resolution to depart?"
There was no answer. Masanath put the Israelite back from her a little and repeated her question.
"I can not tell thee," Rachel responded slowly.
Silence fell, and Masanath spoke at last, in a decided voice.
"Thou art within my house, and so under my command. Thou shalt not leave me! I have said!" She turned to go back to her cushions. Rachel followed her.
"I pray thee, Masanath—"
"Hold thy peace. Let us have no more of this."
Rachel grew paler, and she clasped her hands as though praying for fortitude. At last she broke out:
"Masanath! Masanath! That man—that Unas—attended the noble who halted me on the road to the Nile, that morning; he was the one sent back to Memphis for the document of gift; he pursued me into the hills. He is the servant of the man who follows me!"