"But the stud-master is a daring man, whom Mena looks upon as indispensable, and he--" "I command here, and not the absent," cried Katuti enraged, "and I require the horses in spite of the former orders of my son-in-law." Nefert, during this conversation, pulled herself up from her indolent attitude. On hearing the last words she rose from her couch, and said, with a decision which surprised even her mother-- "The orders of my husband must be obeyed. The horses that Mena loves shall stay in their stalls. Take this armlet that the king gave me; it is worth more than twenty horses." The steward examined the trinket, richly set with precious stones, and looked enquiringly at Katuti. She shrugged her shoulders, nodded consent, and said-- "Abscha shall hold it as a pledge till Mena's booty arrives. For a year your husband has sent nothing of importance." When the steward was gone, Nefert stretched herself again on her couch and said wearily: "I thought we were rich." "We might be," said Katuti bitterly; but as she perceived that Nefert's cheeks again were glowing, she said amiably, "Our high rank imposes great duties on us. Princely blood flows in our veins, and the eyes of the people are turned on the wife of the most brilliant hero in the king's army. They shall not say that she is neglected by her husband. How long Mena remains away!" "I hear a noise in the court," said Nefert. "The Regent is coming." Katuti turned again towards the garden. A breathless slave rushed in, and announced that Bent-Anat, the daughter of the king, had dismounted at the gate, and was approaching the garden with the prince Rameri. Nefert left her couch, and went with her mother to meet the exalted visitors. As the mother and daughter bowed to kiss the robe of the princess, Bent- Anat signed them back from her. "Keep farther from me," she said; "the priests have not yet entirely absolved me from my uncleanness." "And in spite of them thou art clean in the sight of Ra!" exclaimed the boy who accompanied her, her brother of seventeen, who was brought up at the House of Seti, which however he was to leave in a few weeks--and he kissed her. "I shall complain to Ameni of this wild boy," said Bent-Anat smiling. "He would positively accompany me. Your husband, Nefert, is his model, and I had no peace in the house, for we came to bring you good news." "From Mena?" asked the young wife, pressing her hand to her heart. "As you say," returned Bent-Anat. "My father praises his ability, and writes that he, before all others, will have his choice at the dividing of the spoil." Nefert threw a triumphant glance at her mother, and Katuti drew a deep breath. Bent-Anat stroked Nefert's cheeks like those of a child. Then she turned to Katuti, led her into the garden, and begged her to aid her, who had so early lost her mother, with her advice in a weighty matter.