end of it was that I
supposed he would tell me next that I could fill a hall with darkness at
noonday and cover a multitude with terror.

"Let us have done with jests," he said, "though these are well enough in
their place. Will you take this rod again and point it to the moon? You
refuse and you do well, for neither you nor I can cover up her face.
Ana, because you are wise in your way and consort with one who is wiser,
and were present in the temple when the statue of Amon was shattered by
a certain witch who matched her strength against mine and conquered me,
I, the great magician, have come to ask _you_--whence came that darkness
in the hall to-day?"

"From God, I think," I answered in an awed whisper.

"So I think also, Ana. But tell me, or ask Merapi, Moon of Israel, to
tell me--from what god? Oh! I say to you that a terrible power is afoot
in this land and that the Prince Seti did well to refuse the throne of
Egypt and to fly to Memphis. Repeat it to him, Ana."

Then he too was gone.

Now I returned in safety to Memphis and told all these tidings to the
Prince, who listened to them eagerly. Once only was he greatly stirred;
it was when I repeated to him the words of Userti, that never would she
look upon his face again unless it pleased him to turn it towards the
throne. On hearing this tears came into his eyes, and rising, he walked
up and down the chamber.

"The fallen must not look for gentleness," he said, "and doubtless, Ana,
you think it folly that I should grieve because I am thus deserted."

"Nay, Prince, for I too have been abandoned by a wife and the pain is
unforgotten."

"It is not of the wife I think, Ana, since in truth her Highness is no
wife to me. For whatever may be the ancient laws of Egypt, how could it
happen otherwise, at any rate in my case and hers? It is of the sister.
For though my mother was not hers, she and I were brought up together
and in our way loved each other, though always it was her pleasure to
lord it over me, as it was mine to submit and pay her back in jests.
That is why she is so angry because now of a sudden I have thrown off
her rule to follow my own will whereby she has lost the throne."

"It has always been the duty of the royal heiress of Egypt to marry
the Pharaoh of Egypt, Prince, and having wed one who would be Pharaoh
according to that duty, the blow cuts deep."

"Then she had best thrust aside that foolish wife of his and wed him who
is Pharaoh. B