n uten or a drachma,
whatever is commanded, worthiness," said the chief steward.

"Yes; but the worst offender might be beaten."

"I make bold to offer a remark, worthiness," said the steward in a low
tone, inclining continually, "that the earth-workers, roused by some
unknown person, really did talk for a time about decrease of rent. But
some days ago they ceased on a sudden."

"In that case we might withhold the blows of canes," said Ramses.

"Unless as preventive means," put in the steward.

"Would it not be too bad to spoil the canes?"

"We shall never lack articles of that sort."

"But with moderation in every case. I do not wish it to go to his
holiness that I torture men without need. For rebellious conversation
we must beat and take fines in money, but when there is no cause for
punishment we may be magnanimous."

"I understand," answered the steward, looking into the eyes of Ramses.

"Let them cry out as much as they like if they do not whisper
blasphemy."

These talks with Patrokles and the steward were reported throughout
Egypt.

After the steward's departure, the prince yawned and looking around
with a tired glance, he said to himself,

"I have done all I could, but now, if I can, I will do nothing."

At that moment, from the direction of the outhouses, low groans and the
sound of frequent blows reached the prince. Ramses turned his head, and
saw that the overseer of the workmen, Ezekiel, son of Reuben, was
beating some subordinate with a cane, pacifying him meanwhile,

"Be quiet! be silent, low beast!"

The beaten workman, lying on the ground, closed his mouth with his hand
so as not to cry.

At first the prince rushed like a panther toward the outhouses.
Suddenly he halted.

"What am I to do?" whispered he. "This is Sarah's place, and the Jew is
her relative."

He bit his lips, and disappeared among the trees, the more readily
since the flogging was finished.

"Is this the management of the humble Jews?" thought Ramses. "Is this
the way? That man looks at me as a frightened dog might, but he beats
the workmen. Are the Hebrews all like him?"

And for the first time the thought was roused in the prince's soul,
that under the guise of kindness Sarah, too, might conceal falsehood.

Certain changes had indeed taken place in Sarah; above all, moral
changes.

From the moment when she met Ramses in the valley of the desert he had
pleased her, but that feeling grew silent immediately be