"He shan't cut my throat without a struggle!" was his vow.
But, to his surprise, Sesostris answered with a tone of unlooked-for firmness, "Master, I cannot tell you where the toga came from." The tone of Pratinas, in reply, indicated his passion.

"Sheep! Dog! Have I had you all these years that you should need a thrashing for impertinence! What rascal has been here to ogle at this wretched girl ?" He might have thundered his commands to Artemisia, who was sobbing in evident distress; but his anger was concentrated on Sesostris.

"Will you not speak ?" "Master," came the same firm reply, "I will not tell you, though you take my life for refusing." What followed was, as Agias heard it, a volley of curses, blows, groans, and scuffling; then a heavy fall; an extremely fierce execration from Pratinas, and a loud shrill scream from Artemisia, "O Sesostris; dear Sesostris! He doesn't speak! He doesn't move! You've killed him!" "And I will kill you too if you won't tell the truth!" thundered Pratinas, in an ungovernable passion.

Agias heard a blow as of a clinched fist, and a low moan.

It was enough.