and over again--I would laugh at it--as I laugh at it now; and I should
say, 'Who knows what he may have to give her, or to say to her,' and not
for one instant would I doubt his truth; for your son is false and Mena
is true. Osiris broke faith with Isis--but Mena may be favored by a
hundred women--he will take none to his tent but me!"

"Keep your belief," said Katuti bitterly, "but leave me mine."

"Yours?" said Nefert, and her flushed cheeks turned pale again. "What
do you believe? You listen to the worst and basest things that can be
said of a man who has overloaded you with benefits! A wretch, bah! an
ignoble wretch? Is that what you call a man who lets you dispose of his
estate as you please!"

"Nefert," cried Katuti angrily, "I will--"

"Do what you will," interrupted her indignant daughter, "but do not
vilify the generous man who has never hindered you from throwing away his
property on your son's debts and your own ambition. Since the day before
yesterday I have learned that we are not rich; and I have reflected, and
I have asked myself what has become of our corn and our cattle, of our
sheep and the rents from the farmers. The wretch's estate was not so
contemptible; but I tell you plainly I should be unworthy to be the wife
of the noble Mena if I allowed any one to vilify his name under his own
roof. Hold to your belief, by all means, but one of us must quit this
house--you or I."

At these words Nefert broke into passionate sobs, threw herself on her
knees by her couch, hid her face in the cushions, and wept convulsively
and without intermission.