"Besides, he knows what I have to talk about." "There now!" said Nefert, kissing the head of the white cat, and she gave the fan back to the dwarf.
The widow looked at her daughter with sincere compassion, she went up to her and looked for the thousandth time in admiration at her pretty face.
"Poor child," she sighed, "how willingly I would spare you the frightful news which sooner or later you must hear--must bear.

Leave off your foolish play with the cat, I have things of the most hideous gravity to tell you." "Speak on," replied Nefert.

"To-day I cannot fear the worst.

Mena's star, the haruspex told me, stands under the sign of happiness, and I enquired of the oracle in the temple of Besa, and heard that my husband is prospering.

I have prayed in the temple till I am quite content.