aaker in a tone of conviction.

"And let us hasten to seize with gratitude that which the Gods set
before us," cried Setchem with joyful emotion. "I will go to-morrow to
my sister and tell her that we shall live together in our old affection,
and share both good and evil; we are both of the same race, and I know
that, as order and cleanliness preserve a house from ruin and rejoice
the stranger, so nothing but unity can keep up the happiness of the
family and its appearance before people. What is bygone is bygone, and
let it be forgotten. There are many women in Thebes besides Nefert, and
a hundred nobles in the land would esteem themselves happy to win you
for a son-in-law."

Paaker rose, and began thoughtfully pacing the broad space, while
Setchem went on speaking.

"I know," she said, "that I have touched a wound in thy heart; but it
is already closing, and it will heal when you are happier even than the
charioteer Mena, and need no longer hate him. Nefert is good, but she
is delicate and not clever, and scarcely equal to the management of
so large a household as ours. Ere long I too shall be wrapped in
mummy-cloths, and then if duty calls you into Syria some prudent
housewife must take my place. It is no small matter. Your grandfather
Assa often would say that a house well-conducted in every detail was
a mark of a family owning an unspotted name, and living with wise
liberality and secure solidity, in which each had his assigned place,
his allotted duty to fulfil, and his fixed rights to demand. How often
have I prayed to the Hathors that they may send you a wife after my own
heart."

"A Setchem I shall never find!" said Paaker kissing his mother's
forehead, "women of your sort are dying out."

"Flatterer!" laughed Setchem, shaking her finger at her son. But it is
true. Those who are now growing up dress and smarten themselves with
stuffs from Kaft,--[Phoenicia]--mix their language with Syrian words,
and leave the steward and housekeeper free when they themselves ought to
command. Even my sister Katuti, and Nefert--

"Nefert is different from other women," interrupted Paaker, "and if you
had brought her up she would know how to manage a house as well as how
to ornament it."

Setchem looked at her son in surprise; then she said, half to herself:
"Yes, yes, she is a sweet child; it is impossible for any one to be
angry with her who looks into her eyes. And yet I was cruel to her
because you were hurt by her, a