“Why not, Pharaoh?  Tell me, for I am curious.”

“Because I cannot,” he answered with a groan.  “Because something stronger than myself forces me to deny their prayer.  Begone!”

So we went, and this was the last time that I looked upon Amenmeses at Tanis.

As we left the chamber I saw the Hebrew prophet entering the presence.  Afterwards a rumour reached us that he had threatened to kill all the people in Egypt, but that still Pharaoh would not let the Israelites depart.  Indeed, it was said that he had told the prophet that if he appeared before him any more he should be put to death.

Now we journeyed back to Memphis with all these tidings and made report to Seti.  When Merapi heard them she went half mad, weeping and wringing her hands.  I asked her what she feared.  She answered death, which was near to all of us.  I said: 

“If so, there are worse things, Lady.”

“For you mayhap you are faithful and good in your own fashion, but not for me.  Do you not understand, friend Ana, that I am one who has broken the law of the God I was taught to worship?”

“And which of us is there who has not broken the law of the god we were taught to worship, Lady?  If in truth you have done anything of the sort by flying from a murderous villain to one who loves you well, which I do not believe, surely there is forgiveness for such sins as this.”

“Aye, perhaps, but, alas! the thing is blacker far.  Have you forgotten what I did?  Dressed in the robes of Isis I worshipped in the temple of Isis with my boy playing the part of Horus on my bosom.  It is a crime that can never be forgiven to a Hebrew woman, Ana, for my God is a jealous God.  Yet it is true that Ki tricked me.”

“If he had not, Lady, I think there would have been none of us left to trick, seeing that the people were crazed with the dread of the darkness and believed that it could be lifted by you alone, as indeed happened,” I added somewhat doubtfully.

“More of Ki’s tricks!  Oh! do you not understand that the lifting of the darkness at that moment was Ki’s work, because he wished the people to believe that I am indeed a sorceress.”

“Why?” I asked.

“I do not know.  Perhaps that one day he may find a victim to bind to the altar in his place.  At least I know well that it is I who must pay the price, I and my flesh and blood, whatever Ki may promise,” and she looked at the sleeping child.

“Do not be afraid, Lady,” I said.  “Ki has left the palace and you will see him no more.”

“Yes, because the Prince was angry with him about the trick in the temple of Isis.  Therefore suddenly he went, or pretended to go, for how can one tell where such a man may really be?  But he will come back again.  Bethink you, Ki was the greatest magician in Egypt; even old Bakenkhonsu can remember none like to him.  Then he matches himself against the prophets of my people and fails.”