Merytra, who was vain, smiled at this artful flattery, although, in
truth, it was well deserved, for at an age when many Egyptians are old,
she remained fresh and fair.

"An excellent conscience," she answered, "a good appetite and the
virtuous, quiet life, which is the lot of the ladies of Pharaoh's
Court--there you have the secret, Kaku. I fear that you keep too late
hours, and that is why you grow white and withered like a mummy--not but
that you look handsome enough in those long robes of yours," she added
to gild the pill.

"It is my labours," he replied, making a wry face, for he too was vain.
"My labours for the good of others, also indigestion and the draughts
in this accursed tower where I sit staring at the stars, which give me
rheumatism. I have got both of them now, and must take some medicine,"
and filling two goblets from a flask, he handed her one of them, saying,
"drink it, you don't get wine like that in Thebes."

"It is very good," said Merytra when she had drunk, "but heavy. If I
took much of that I think I should have 'rheumatism,' too. Now tell me,
old friend, am I safe, in this place? No, not from Pharaoh, he trusts
me and lets me go where I will upon his business--but from his royal
brother. He used to have a long memory, and from the look of him I do
not think that his temper has improved. You may remember a certain slap
in the face and how I paid him back for it."

"He never knew it was you, Merytra. Being a mass of self-conceit, he
thought that you ran away because he had banished you from his royal
presence and presented you--to me."