heard," interrupted Meneptah impatiently, "and as in our House
it has always been the custom for kin to marry kin, why should it not
be her will? Also, who else should she marry? Amenmeses is already wed.
There remains only Saptah his brother who is younger than herself----"

"So am I," murmured Seti, "by two long years," but happily Userti did
not hear him.

"Nay, my father," she said with decision, "never will I take a deformed
man to husband."

Now from the shadow on the further side of the throne, where I could
not see him, there hobbled forward a young noble, short in stature,
light-haired like Seti, and with a sharp, clever face which put me in
mind of that of a jackal (indeed for this reason he was named Thoth by
the common people, after the jackal-headed god). He was very angry, for
his cheeks were flushed and his small eyes flashed.

"Must I listen, Pharaoh," he said in a little voice, "while my cousin
the Royal Princess reproaches me in public for my lame foot, which I
have because my nurse let me fall when I was still in arms?"

"Then his nurse let his grandfather fall also, for he too was
club-footed, as I who have seen him naked in his cradle can bear
witness," whispered old Bakenkhonsu.

"It seems so, Count Saptah, unless you stop your ears," replied Pharaoh.

"She says she will not marry me," went on Saptah, "me who from childhood
have been a slave to her and to no other woman."

"Not by my wish, Saptah. Indeed, I pray you to go and be a slave to any
woman whom you will," exclaimed Userti.

"But I say," continued Saptah, "that one day she shall marry me, for the
Prince Seti will not live for ever."

"How do you know that, Cousin?" asked Seti. "The High-priest here will
tell you a different story."

Now certain of those present turned their heads away to hide the smile
upon their faces. Yet on this day some god spoke with Saptah's voice
making him a prophet, since in a year to come she did marry him, in
order that she might stay upon the throne at a time of trouble when
Egypt would not suffer that a woman should have sole rule over the land.

But Pharaoh did not smile like the courtiers; indeed he grew angry.

"Peace, Saptah!" he said. "Who are you that wrangle before me, talking
of the death of kings and saying that you will wed the Royal princess?
One more such word and you shall be driven into banishment. Hearken
now. Almost am I minded to declare my daughter, the Royal Princess, sole
hei