ut that she will never do; Amenmeses she has always hated,
so much that she loathed to be in the same place with him. Nor indeed
would he wed her, who wishes to rule for himself, not through a woman
whose title to the crown is better than his own. Well, she has put
me away and there's an end. Henceforth I must go lonely,
unless--unless----Continue your story, friend. It is kind of her in her
greatness to promise to protect one so humble. I should remember that,
although it is true that fallen heads sometimes rise again," he added
bitterly.

"So at least Jabez thinks, Prince," and I told him how the Israelites
were sure that he would be Pharaoh, whereat he laughed and said:

"Perhaps, for they are good prophets. For my part I neither know or
care. Or maybe Jabez sees advantage in talking thus, for as you know he
is a clever trader."

"I do not think so," I answered and stopped.

"Had Jabez more to say of any other matter, Ana? Of the lady Merapi, for
instance?"

Now feeling it to be my duty, I told him every word that had passed
between Jabez and myself, though somewhat shamefacedly.

"This Hebrew takes much for granted, Ana, even as to whom the Moon of
Israel would wish to shine upon. Why, friend, it might be you whom she
desires to touch with her light, or some youth in Goshen--not Laban--or
no one."

"Me, Prince, me!" I exclaimed.

"Well, Ana, I am sure you would have it so. Be advised by me and ask her
mind upon the matter. Look not so confused, man, for one who has been
married you are too modest. Come tell me of this Crowning."

So glad enough to escape from the matter of Merapi, I spoke at length
of all that had happened when Pharaoh Amenmeses took his seat upon the
throne. When I described how the rod of the Hebrew prophet had been
turned to a snake and how Ki and his company had done likewise, the
Prince laughed and said that these were mere jugglers' tricks. But when
I told of the darkness that had seemed to gather in the hall and of
the gloom that filled the hearts of all men and of the awesome dream of
Bakenkhonsu, also of the words of Ki after he had clouded my mind and
played his jest upon me, he listened with much earnestness and answered:

"My mind is as Ki's in this matter. I too think that a terrible power is
afoot in Egypt, one that has its home in the land of Goshen, and that I
did well to refuse the throne. But from what god these fortunes come I
do not know. Perhaps time will tell us. Me