Amasis nodded silently in return, and then asked abruptly and sternly:
"What is thy desire? my time is limited."
"For your son, more than for others," replied the prince with quivering lips. "Seven times have I petitioned for the great favor, which thou grantest for the first time to-day."
"No reproaches! I suspect the reason of thy visit. Thou desirest an answer to thy doubts as to the birth of thy sister Nitetis."
"I have no curiosity; I come rather to warn thee, and to remind thee that
I am not the only one who is acquainted with this mystery."
"Speakest thou of Phanes?"
"Of whom else should I speak? He is banished from Egypt and from his own country, and must leave Naukratis in a few days. What guarantee hast thou, that he will not betray us to the Persians?"
"The friendship and kindness which I have always shown him."
"Dost thou believe in the gratitude of men?"
"No! but I rely on my own discernment of character. Phanes will not betray us! he is my friend, I repeat it!"
"Thy friend perhaps, but my mortal enemy!"