Yahmose still looked dissatisfied and doubtful.
"But your happiness is important, Renisenb.
You must not let my father rush you into something you do not want.
You know how he is."
"Oh, yes, yes, when he gets an idea into his head we all have to give way to it."
"Not necessarily." Yahmose spoke with firmness.
"I will not give way here unless you wish it."
"Oh, Yahmose, you never stand out against our father."
"But I will in this case.
He cannot force me to agree with him and I shall not do so."
Renisenb looked up at him.
How resolute and determined his usually undecided face was looking!
"You are good to me, Yahmose," she said gratefully. "But indeed I am not yielding to compulsion.
The old life here, the life I was so pleased to come back to, has passed away.
Kameni and I will make a new life together and live as a good brother and sister should."
"If you are sure -"
"I am sure," said Renisenb, and smiling at him affectionately, she went out of the hall onto the porch.
From there she crossed the courtyard.
By the edge of the lake Kameni was playing with Teti.
Renisenb drew near very quietly and watched them while they were still unaware of her approach.
Kameni, merry as ever, seemed to be enjoying the game as much as the child did.
Renisenb's heart warmed to him.
She thought: "He will make a good father to Teti."
Then Kameni turned his head and saw her and stood upright with a laugh.
"We have made Teti's doll a ka-priest," he said.
"And he is making the offerings and attending to the ceremonies at the Tomb."
"His name is Meriptah," said Teti.
She was very serious.
"He has two children and a scribe like Hori."
Kameni laughed.
"Teti is very intelligent," he said.
"And she is strong and beautiful too,"
His eyes went from the child to Renisenb and in their caressing glance Renisenb read the thought in his mind - of the children that she would one day bear him.
It sent a slight thrill through her - yet at the same time a sudden piercing regret.
She would have liked in that moment to have seen in his eyes only her own image.
She thought: "Why cannot it be only Renisenb he sees?"
Then the feeling passed and she smiled at him gently.
"My father has spoken to me," she said.
"And you consent?"
She hesitated a moment before she answered: "I consent."
The final word was spoken; that was the end. It was all settled.
She wished she did not feel so tired and numb.
"Renisenb?"
"Yes, Kameni."
"Will you sail with me on the River in a pleasure boat?
That is a thing I have always wanted to do with you."
Odd that he should say that.
The very first moment she had seen him she had thought of a square sail and the River and Khay's laughing face.
And now she had forgotten Khay's face and in the place of it, against the sail and the River, it would be Kameni who sat and laughed into her eyes.
That was death.