lauded poet. After having been so highly praised he will find it
difficult to satisfy his hearers. But indeed I am uneasy about you, my
child--would you rather go?" The Regent had risen and said earnestly,
"Your presence has done me honor, but if you are fatigued I beg you to
allow me to conduct you and your ladies to the apartments intended for
you."

"I will stay," said Bent-Anat in a low but decided tone, and she kept her
eyes on the floor, while her heart beat violently, for the murmur of
voices told her that Pentaur was entering the hall. He wore the long
white robe of a priest of the temple of Seti, and on his forehead the
ostrich-feather which marked him as one of the initiated. He did not
raise his eyes till he stood close before the king; then he prostrated
himself before him, and awaited a sign from the Pharaoh before he rose
again.

But Rameses hesitated a long time, for the youthful figure before him,
and the glance that met his own, moved him strangely. Was not this the
divinity of the fight? Was not this his preserver? Was he again deluded
by a resemblance, or was he in a dream?

The guests gazed in silence at the spellbound king, and at the poet; at
last Rameses bowed his head,

Pentaur rose to his feet, and the bright color flew to his face as close
to him he perceived Bent-Anat.

"You fought at Kadesh?" asked the king. "As thou sayest," replied
Pentaur.