troops, to-morrow he will assist at the feast of the Valley, and the next
day he goes to Syria."

"He has been with you?" Katuti asked.

"He came to the palace on leaving your house," replied Ani, "with glowing
cheeks, and resolved to the utmost; though he does not dream that I hold
him in my hand."

Thus speaking they entered the veranda, in which Nemu had remained, and
he now hid himself as usual behind the ornamental shrubs to overhear
them. They sat down near each other, by Nefert's breakfast table, and
Ani asked Katuti whether the dwarf had told her his mother's secret.
Katuti feigned ignorance, listened to the story of the love-philter, and
played the part of the alarmed mother very cleverly. The Regent was of
opinion, while he tried to soothe her, that there was no real love-potion
in the case; but the widow exclaimed:

"Now I understand, now for the first time I comprehend my daughter.
Paaker must have poured the drink into her wine, for she had no sooner
drunk it this morning than she was quite altered her words to Paaker had
quite a tender ring in them; and if he placed himself so cheerfully at
your disposal it is because he believes himself certainly to be beloved
by my daughter. The old witch's potion was effectual."

"There certainly are such drinks--" said Ani thoughtfully. "But will
they only win hearts to young men! If that is the case, the old woman's
trade is a bad one, for youth is in itself a charm to attract love. If I
were only as young as Paaker! You laugh at the sighs of a man--say at
once of an old man! Well, yes, I am old, for the prime of life lies