When the messengers came from the princess she superintended the packing of the various objects which Nefert wished to have, with calm deliberation, and then sent her dwarf to Ani, to beg that he would visit her.  But before Nemu had left Mena’s grounds he saw the out-runners of the Regent, his chariot, and the troop of guards following him.

Very soon Katuti and her noble friend were walking up and down in the garden, while she related to him how Bent-Anat had taken Nefert from her, and repeated to him all that she had planned and considered during the last hour.

“You have the genius of a man,” said Ani; “and this time you do not urge me in vain.  Ameni is ready to act, Paaker is to-day collecting his 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 behind me.  And yet Katuti, my friend, wisest of women—­explain to me one thing.  When I was young I was loved by many and admired many women, but not one of them—­not even my wife, who died young, was more to me than a toy, a plaything; and now when I stretch out my hand for a girl, whose father I might very well be—­not for her own sake, but simply to serve my purpose—­and she refuses me, I feel as much disturbed, as much a fool as-as that dealer in love-philters, Paaker.”

“Have you spoken to Bent-Anat?” asked Katuti.

“And heard again from her own lips the refusal she had sent me through you.  You see my spirit has suffered!”