en I learned that Userti had
deserted me indeed. Moon of Israel, you are that woman. I will not
tell you," he went on passionately, "that you are fairer than all other
women, or sweeter, or more wise, though these things you seem to me. I
will only tell you that I love you, yes, love you, whatever you may be.
I cannot offer you the Throne of Egypt, even if the law would suffer it,
but I can offer you the throne of this heart of mine. Now, Lady Merapi,
what have you to say? Before you speak, remember that although you seem
to be my prisoner here at Memphis, you have naught to fear from me.
Whatever you may answer, such shelter and such friendship as I can give
will be yours while I live, and never shall I attempt to force myself
upon you, however much it may pain me to pass you by. I know not the
future. It may happen that I shall give you great place and power, it
may happen that I shall give you nothing but poverty and exile, or even
perhaps a share in my own death, but with either will go the worship of
my body and my spirit. Now, speak."

She dropped her hands from her face, looking up at him, and there were
tears shining in her beautiful eyes.

"It cannot be, Prince," she murmured.

"You mean you do not wish it to be?"

"I said that it cannot be. Such ties between an Egyptian and an
Israelite are not lawful."

"Some in this city and elsewhere seem to find them so."

"And I am married, I mean perhaps I am married--at least in name."

"And I too am married, I mean----"

"That is different. Also there is another reason, the greatest of all, I
am under a curse, and should bring you, not joy as Ki said, but sorrow,
or, at the least, sorrow with the joy."

He looked at her searchingly.

"Has Ana----" he began, then continued, "if so what lives have you known
that are not compounded of mingled joy and sorrow?"

"None. But the woe I should bring would outweigh the joy--to you. The
curse of my God rests upon me and I cannot learn to worship yours. The
curse of my people rests upon me, the law of my people divides me
from you as with a sword, and should I draw close to you these will be
increased upon my head, which matters not, but also upon yours," and she
began to sob.

"Tell me," he said, taking her by the hand, "but one thing, and if the
answer is No, I will trouble you no more. Is your heart mine?"

"It is," she sighed, "and has been ever since my eyes fell upon you
yonder in the streets of Tanis. Oh! th