ate wing of the palace, with
certain slaves and servants whom Seti had given to her. Sometimes we met
her in the gardens, where it pleased her to walk at the same hours that
we did, namely before the sun grew hot, or in the cool of the evening,
and now and again when the moon shone at night. Then the three of us
would talk together, for Seti never sought her company alone or within
walls.

Those talks were very pleasant. Moreover they grew more frequent as time
went on, since Merapi had a thirst for learning, and the Prince would
bring her rolls to read in a little summer-house there was. Here we
would sit, or if the heat was great, outside beneath the shadow of
two spreading trees that stretched above the roof of the little
pleasure-house, while Seti discoursed of the contents of the rolls and
instructed her in the secrets of our writing. Sometimes, too, I read
them stories of my making, to which it pleased them both to listen, or
so they said, and I, in my vanity, believed. Also we would talk of the
mystery and the wonder of the world and of the Hebrews and their fate,
or of what passed in Egypt and the neighbouring lands.

Nor was Merapi altogether lonesome, seeing that there dwelt in Memphis
certain ladies who had Hebrew blood in their veins, or were born of the
Israelites and had married Egyptians against their law. Among these she
made friends, and together they worshipped in their own fashion with
none to say them nay, since here no priests were allowed to trouble
them.

For our part we held intercourse with as many as we pleased, since few
forgot that Seti was by blood the Prince of Egypt, that is, a man almost
half divine, and all were eager to visit him. Also he was much beloved
for his own sake and more particularly by the poor, whose wants it was
his delight to relieve to the full limit of his wealth. Thus it came
about that whenever he went abroad, although against his will, he was
received with honours and homage that were almost royal, for though
Pharaoh could rob him of the Crown he could not empty his veins of the
blood of kings.

It was on this account that I feared for his safety, since I was sure
that through his spies Amenmeses knew all and would grow jealous of
a dethroned prince who was still so much adored by those over whom of
right he should have ruled. I told Seti of my doubts and that when he
travelled the streets he should be guarded by armed men. But he only
laughed and answered that,