“I hear the command of Pharaoh,” he said in a low voice making obeisance, and hesitated.

“Have you aught to add?” asked Meneptah sharply.

“Only, O Pharaoh, that though this would be a marriage decreed for reasons of the State, still there is a lady who must be given in marriage, and she my half-sister who heretofore has only loved me as a relative.  Therefore, I would know from her lips if it is her will to take me as a husband.”

Now all looked at Userti who replied in a cold voice: 

“In this matter, Prince, as in all others I have no will but that of Pharaoh.”

“You have 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 heiress to the throne, seeing that in her there is more strength and wisdom than in any other of our House.”