As soon as she perceived the King through the darkness, Thamar threw herself with her face to the stone flags, by the side of the bodies which had not yet been removed, and then sitting up, she said in a firm voice, "O Pharaoh, do not slay me, I bring you good news."
"Speak without fear," replied the King, whose fury had passed away.
"Tahoser, whom your messengers have sought in the four corners of the world,—I know where she is."
At the name of Tahoser, Pharaoh rose as if moved by a spring and stepped towards Thamar, who was still kneeling.
"If you speak the truth, you may take from my granite halls as much as you can lift of gold and precious stones."
"I will put her in your hands, you may be sure," said the old woman, with a strident laugh.
What was the motive which had led Thamar to inform the Pharaoh of the retreat where the priest's daughter was in hiding?
She wished to prevent a union which she disliked. She entertained towards the race of Egypt, a blind, fierce, unreasoning, almost bestial hatred, and the thought of breaking Tahoser's heart delighted her. Once in the hands of the Pharaoh, Ra'hel's rival would be unable to escape; the granite walls of the palace would keep their prey.
"Where is she?" said Pharaoh; "tell me the spot. I want to see her at once."
"Your Majesty, I alone can guide you. I know the windings of those loathsome quarters, where the humblest of your servants would disdain to set foot. Tahoser is there, in a clay and straw hut which nothing marks from the huts which surround it, amid the heaps of bricks which the Hebrews make for you outside the regular dwellings of the city."