Chapter 19 SECOND MONTH OF SUMMER, 15TH DAY
"Now that the matter is laid before you, Renisenb, what have you to say?"
Renisenb looked doubtfully from her father to Yahmose.
Her head felt dull and bemused.
"I do not know." The words fell from her lips tonelessly.
"Under ordinary conditions," went on Imhotep, "there would be plenty of time for discussion.
I have other kinsmen, and we could select and reject until we settled upon the most suitable as a husband for you.
But as it is, life is uncertain - yes, life is uncertain."
His voice faltered. He went on:
"That is how the matter stands, Renisenb.
Death is facing all three of us today. Yahmose, yourself, myself.
At which of us will the peril strike next?
Therefore it behoves me to put my affairs in order.
If anything should happen to Yahmose, you, my only daughter, will need a man to stand by your side and share your inheritance and perform such duties of my estate as cannot be administered by a woman.
For who knows at what moment I may be taken from you?
The trusteeship and guardianship of Sobek's children, I have arranged in my will, shall be administered by Hori if Yahmose is no longer alive - also the guardianship of Yahmose's children - since that is his wish - eh, Yahmose?"
Yahmose nodded.
"Hori has always been very close to me.
He is as one of my own family."
"Quite, quite," said Imhotep. "But the fact remains he is not of the family.
Now Kameni is.
Therefore, all things considered, he is the best husband available at the moment for Renisenb.
So what do you say, Renisenb?"
"I do not know," Renisenb repeated again.
She felt a terrible lassitude.
"He is handsome and pleasing, you will agree?"
"Oh, yes."
"But you do not want to marry him?" Yahmose asked gently.
Renisenb threw her brother a grateful glance.
He was so resolved that she should not be hurried or badgered into doing what she did not want to do.
"I really do not know what I want to do."
She hurried on:
"It is stupid, I know, but I am stupid today.
It is - it is the strain under which we are living."
"With Kameni at your side you will feel protected," said Imhotep.
Yahmose asked his father: "Have you considered Hori as a possible husband for Renisenb?"
"Well, yes, it is a possibility..."
"His wife died when he was still a young man.
Renisenb knows him well and likes him."
Renisenb sat in a dream while the two men talked.
This was her marriage they were discussing, and Yahmose was trying to help her to choose what she herself wanted, but she felt as lifeless as Teti's wooden doll.
Presently she said abruptly, interrupting their speech without even hearing what they were saying:
"I will marry Kameni since you think it is a good thing."
Imhotep gave an exclamation of satisfaction and hurried out of the hall.
Yahmose came over to his sister. He laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Do you want this marriage, Renisenb?
Will you be happy?"
"Why should I not be happy?
Kameni is handsome and gay and kind."
"I know."