“How dare you trifle, with that which is most precious to me!” she said.
“Quick undo the spell that binds her! Miriam! sister! Hatsu calls! Awake!”
But Miriam slept on, and something in the unbroken silence of the man beside her, made Hatsu turn imploringly to him.
“Surely my lord,” she said. “You who know how dear Miriam is to me, can not hurt or wrong me through her! surely you know, that should this wanton act of yours, ever come to her, with the added knowledge, that I did not reprove you most severely, Miriam would turn from me, in scorn preferring torture and death, to serving so false and thankless a mistress.”
“My Princess listen! No idle impulse has led to this unnatural slumber, in which you find Miriam, it has been induced, that I might gain the one chance, the only chance perhaps in our present life, to speak with you alone.”
“You are bold my lord!”
“Aye but not so bold, as to do aught but prove to you my loyalty. ’Tis true it is but seldom, oh gracious bride of Tothmes the Second, that a subject forces upon the ear of his sovereign queen, his personal confidence and seeks the aid of the throne itself, to further his selfish aims, and ambitions! yet I Alric, venture into this untrodden path, and ask your interest, and may hap (since you have a gentle heart) your sympathy. Know then future queen, that at the court of Tothmes the Second—and very close to his throne—my soul lives, for it is there, the only woman I have ever loved, shall abide.
“She is by birth and station, so far above me, that to love her, is like loving a star in heaven! but oh queen (that is to be) such love as mine knows no repining, because the object of its worship is beyond mortal possession! love such as mine, finds only joy in the thought that eons of what we call time, may stretch out, before I can take unto myself this other self but while I wait I can serve.
“Listen! In and about the court of Tothmes the Second, lurk unnumbered dangers, for my love. All that I crave at the queen’s hands, is the power, to stand her sentinel, to guard her night, and day, day, and night, so long as my time on the earth continues.”
He ceased to speak, and stood in respectful attitude, awaiting her reply.