the reflection with anxious observation, and when he seated
himself in his litter to be borne to the house of his friend Katuti, he
said to himself that he still might claim to be called a handsome man.

If he paid his court to Bent-Anat--if she listened to his suit--what
then?

He would refer it to Katuti, who always knew how to say a decisive word
when he, entangled in a hundred pros and cons, feared to venture on a
final step.

By her advice he had sought to wed the princess, as a fresh mark of
honor--as an addition to his revenues--as a pledge for his personal
safety. His heart had never been more or less attached to her than to any
other beautiful woman in Egypt. Now her proud and noble personality stood
before his inward eye, and he felt as if he must look up to it as to a
vision high out of his reach. It vexed him that he had followed Katuti's
advice, and he began to wish his suit had been repulsed. Marriage with
Bent-Anat seemed to him beset with difficulties. His mood was that of a
man who craves some brilliant position, though he knows that its
requirements are beyond his powers--that of an ambitious soul to whom
kingly honors are offered on condition that he will never remove a heavy
crown from his head. If indeed another plan should succeed, if--and his
eyes flashed eagerly--if fate set him on the seat of Rameses, then the
alliance with Bent-Anat would lose its terrors; there would he be her
absolute King and Lord and Master, and no one could require him to
account for what he might be to her, or vouchsafe to her.

CHAPTER X.

During the events we have described the house of the charioteer Mena had
not remained free from visitors.

It resembled the neighboring estate of Paaker, though the buildings were
less new, the gay paint on the pillars and walls was faded, and the large
garden lacked careful attention. In the vicinity of the house only, a few
well-kept beds blazed with splendid flowers, and the open colonnade,
which was occupied by Katuti and her daughter, was furnished with royal
magnificence.

The elegantly carved seats were made of ivory, the tables of ebony, and
they, as well as the couches, had gilt feet. The artistically worked
Syrian drinking vessels on the sideboard, tables, and consoles were of
many forms; beautiful vases full of flowers stood everywhere; rare
perfumes rose from alabaster cups, and the foot sank in the thick pile of
the carpets which covered the floor.

And ove