nd his figure, too, had lost its erect carriage and seemed
bent and feeble, though he had scarcely passed his fifth decade. His
regular features were still beautiful in their symmetry, and there was a
touch of pathos in their mournful gentleness, so evidently incapable of
any firm resolve, especially when a smile lent his mouth a bewitching
charm.

The languid indolence of his movements scarcely impaired the natural
dignity of his presence, yet his musical voice was wont to have a
feeble, beseeching tone. He was no born ruler; thirteen older brothers
had died ere the throne of Pharaoh had become his heritage, and up to
early manhood he had led a careless, joyous existence--as the handsomest
youth in the whole land, the darling of women, the light-hearted
favorite of fortune. Then he succeeded his father the great Rameses,
but he had scarcely grasped the sceptre ere the Libyans, with numerous
allies, rebelled against Egypt. The trained troops and their leaders,
who had fought in his predecessor's wars, gained him victory, but during
the twenty years which had now passed since Rameses' death, the soldiers
had rarely had any rest. Insurrections constantly occurred, sometimes
in the East, anon in the West and, instead of living in Thebes, where
he had spent many years of happiness, and following the bent of his
inclination by enjoying in the splendid palace the blessing of peace
and the society of the famous scholars and poets who then made that city
their home, he was compelled sometimes to lead his armies in the field,
sometimes to live in Tanis, the capital of Lower Egypt, to settle the
disturbances of the border land.

This was the desire of the venerable Rui, and the king willingly
followed his guidance. During the latter years of Rameses' reign, the
temple at Thebes, and with it the chief priest, had risen to power and
wealth greater than that possessed by royalty itself, and Menephtah's
indolent nature was better suited to be a tool than a guiding hand, so
long as he received all the external honors due to Pharaoh. These he
guarded with a determination which he never roused himself to display in
matters of graver import.

The condescending graciousness of Pharaoh's reception awakened feelings
of mingled pleasure and distrust in Hosea's mind, but he summoned
courage to frankly express his desire to be relieved from his office and
the oath he had sworn to his sovereign.

Pharaoh listened quietly. Not until Hosea co