"Oh, he thought that, did he! What a vain fool!"

"It was a very dirty trick you played me, Merytra," went on Kaku with
indignation, for the rich wine coursing through his blood revived the
sting of his loss. "You know how fond I always was of you, and indeed am
still," he added, gazing at her admiringly.

"I felt that I was not worthy of so learned and distinguished a man,"
she replied, looking at him with her dark eyes. "I should only have
hampered your life, dear Kaku, so I went into the household of that poor
creature, Pharaoh, instead--Pharaoh's Nunnery we call it. But you will
not explain the facts to Abi, will you?"

"No, I think not, Merytra, if we continue to get on as well as we do
at present. But now you are rested, so let us come to business, for
otherwise you will have to stop here all night and Pharaoh would be
angry."

"Oh, to Set with Pharaoh! Though it is true that he is a good paymaster,
and knows the value of a clever woman. Now, what is this business?"

The old astrologer's face grew hard and cunning. Going to the door he
made sure that it was locked and drew a curtain over it. Then he took a
stool and sat himself down in front of Merytra, in such a position that
the light fell on her face while his own remained in shadow.

"A big business, Merytra, and by the gods I do not know that I should
trust you with it. You tricked me once, you have tricked Pharaoh for
years; how do I know that you will not play the same game once more
and earn me an order to cut my own throat, and so lose life and soul