To the ideal Osirian his faith was the essential fiber in the fabric of his existence, to withdraw which meant physical and spiritual destruction.  The forfeiture of his faith for Rachel, therefore, appealed to Kenkenes as a demand upon his blood for his breath’s sake.  His plight was piteous; never were alternatives so apparently impossible.

At first there was no coherent thought in the young man’s mind.  His consciousness seemed to be full of rebellion, longing and amazement.  Never in his life had he been refused anything he greatly desired, when he had justice on his side.  Now he was rejected, not for a shortcoming, but, according to his religious lights, for a virtue instead.  His gaze searched the visible portion of the other chamber and found Rachel.  In the half-light he saw that she had cast herself down against the sarcophagus, face toward the stone, her whole attitude one of weary depression.

Piteous as was the sight, there was comfort in it for him.  Rachel loved him so much that she was bowed with the conflict between her love and her duty.  His manhood reasserted itself.  Love in youth bears hope with it in the face of the most hopeless hindrances.  With the blood of the Orient in his veins and the fire of youth to heighten its ardor, he was not to be wholly and for ever cast down.  Furthermore, there was Rachel to be comforted.

He turned to Deborah.

“Let it pass, then.  Deny me not the joy of loving her, nor her the small content of loving me.  If there should be change, let it be in thy prohibitions, not in our love.  Enough.  Art thou weary?  Wouldst thou sleep?”

“Nay,” she answered bluntly.

“Then I would take counsel with thee.  Thou knowest the end of Israel?” he asked.

“I know the purpose of the Pharaoh, but there is no end to Israel.”

“Not yet, perchance,” he said calmly, “or never.  But we shall not put trust in auguries.  The oppression of the people is already begun at Pa-Ramesu and the brick-fields.  Ye shall not return to those dire hardships.  Ye can not return to Masaarah.  In Memphis I offer my father’s house, but Rachel refuses it.  In Nehapehu there is safety among the peasantry on the murket’s lands.  My father lost an all-powerful signet in the tomb of the Incomparable Pharaoh at Tape, and did not search for it because he believed that Rameses had taken it away from him.  The king will honor it and grant whatever petition I make to him.  If ye are unafraid to abide in this tomb for the few remaining hours of this night I shall take you to Nehapehu at dawn.  There ye can abide till I go to Tape and return.  What sayest thou?”

The old woman looked at him quietly for a moment.

“Is this place safe?” she asked.

“The forty-two demons of Amenti could not drive an Egyptian into this tomb.”

“How comes it that thou art not afraid?”

“I have no belief in spirits.”