, it is plain that you will become the favourite of his Highness, a
man who does not change his mind in such matters, and that he will
tell you all his secret thoughts, perhaps some that he hides from the
Councillors of State, or even from me. In short you will grow into
a power in the land and perhaps one day be the greatest in it--after
Pharaoh--although you may still seem to be but a private scribe.

"I do not pretend to you that I should have wished this to be so, who
would rather that my husband had but one real councillor--myself. Yet
seeing that it is so, I bow my head, hoping that it may be decreed for
the best. If ever any jealousy should overcome me in this matter and
I should speak sharply to you, as I did to-day, I ask your pardon in
advance for that which has not happened, as I have asked it for that
which has happened. I pray of you, Scribe Ana, that you will do your
best to influence the mind of the Prince for good, since he is easily
led by any whom he loves. I pray you also being quick and thoughtful,
as I see you are, that you will make a study of statecraft, and of
the policies of our royal House, coming to me, if it be needful, for
instruction therein, so that you may be able to guide the feet of the
Prince aright, should he turn to you for counsel."

"All of this I will do, your Highness, if by any chance it lies in my
power, though who am I that I should hope to make a path for the feet of
kings? Moreover, I would add this, although he is so gentle-natured, I
think that in the end the Prince is one who will always choose his own
path."

"It may be so Ana. At the least I thank you. I pray you to be sure also
that in me you will always have a friend and not an enemy, although at
times the quickness of my nature, which has never been controlled, may
lead you to think otherwise. Now I will say one more thing that shall
be secret between us. I know that the Prince loves me as a friend and
relative rather than as a wife, and that he would not have sought this
marriage of himself, as is perhaps natural. I know, too, that other
women will come into his life, though these may be fewer than in the
case of most kings, because he is more hard to please. Of such I cannot
complain, as this is according to the customs of our country. I fear
only one thing--namely that some woman, ceasing to be his toy, may take
Seti's heart and make him altogether hers. In this matter, Scribe Ana,
as in others I ask your help,