poke
with her and, as I fear, told her what you and I were so careful to
hide, that she would bring trouble on me. At the least she has never
been quite the same since, and I have thought it wise to make her swear
by an oath, which I know she will never break, that now we are one she
will not attempt to separate herself from me while we both have life."

"Did he wish her to go away with him, Prince?"

"I do not know. She never told me so. Still I am sure that had he come
with his evil talk before that day when you returned from Tanis, she
would have gone. Now I hope that there are reasons that will keep her
where she is."

"What then did he say, Prince?"

"Little beyond what he had already said to you, that great troubles were
about to fall on Egypt. He added that he was sent to save me and mine
from these troubles because I had been a friend to the Hebrews in so far
as that was possible. Then he walked through this house and all round
its gardens, as he went reciting something that was written on a
roll, of which I could not understand the meaning, and now and again
prostrating himself to pray to his god. Thus, where the canal enters the
garden and where it leaves the garden he stayed to pray, as he did at
the well whence drinking water is drawn. Moreover, led by Merapi, he
visited all my cornlands and those where my cattle are herded, reciting
and praying until the servants thought that he was mad. After this he
returned with her and, as it chanced, I overheard their parting. She
said to him:

"'The house you have blessed and it is safe; the fields you have blessed
and they are safe; will you not bless me also, O my Uncle, and any that
are born of me?'

"He answered, shaking his head, 'I have no command, my Niece, either to
bless or to curse you, as did that fool whom the Prince slew. You have
chosen your own path apart from your people. It may be well, or it
may be ill, or perhaps both, and henceforth you must walk it alone to
wherever it may lead. Farewell, for perhaps we shall meet no more.'

"Thus speaking they passed out of earshot, but I could see that still
she pleaded and still he shook his head. In the end, however, she gave
him an offering, of all that she had I think, though whether this went
to the temple of the Hebrews or into his own pouch I know not. At least
it seemed to soften him, for he kissed her on the brow tenderly enough
and departed with the air of a happy merchant who has sold his ware