“It seems, Scribe Ana, that my lord the Prince has taken a great love of you.  How or why this came about so suddenly, you being a man, I do not understand, but I am sure that as it is so, it must be because there is much in you to love, since never did I know the Prince to show deep regard for one who was not most honourable and worthy.  Now things being so, it is plain that you will become the favourite of his Highness, a man who does not change his mind in such matters, and that he will tell you all his secret thoughts, perhaps some that he hides from the Councillors of State, or even from me.  In short you will grow into a power in the land and perhaps one day be the greatest in it—­after Pharaoh—­although you may still seem to be but a private scribe.

“I do not pretend to you that I should have wished this to be so, who would rather that my husband had but one real councillor—­myself.  Yet seeing that it is so, I bow my head, hoping that it may be decreed for the best.  If ever any jealousy should overcome me in this matter and I should speak sharply to you, as I did to-day, I ask your pardon in advance for that which has not happened, as I have asked it for that which has happened.  I pray of you, Scribe Ana, that you will do your best to influence the mind of the Prince for good, since he is easily led by any whom he loves.  I pray you also being quick and thoughtful, as I see you are, that you will make a study of statecraft, and of the policies of our royal House, coming to me, if it be needful, for instruction therein, so that you may be able to guide the feet of the Prince aright, should he turn to you for counsel.”

“All of this I will do, your Highness, if by any chance it lies in my power, though who am I that I should hope to make a path for the feet of kings?  Moreover, I would add this, although he is so gentle-natured, I think that in the end the Prince is one who will always choose his own path.”

“It may be so Ana.  At the least I thank you.  I pray you to be sure also that in me you will always have a friend and not an enemy, although at times the quickness of my nature, which has never been controlled, may lead you to think otherwise.  Now I will say one more thing that shall be secret between us.  I know that the Prince loves me as a friend and relative rather than as a wife, and that he would not have sought this marriage of himself, as is perhaps natural.  I know, too, that other women will come into his life, though these may be fewer than in the case of most kings, because he is more hard to please.  Of such I cannot complain, as this is according to the customs of our country.  I fear only one thing—­namely that some woman, ceasing to be his toy, may take Seti’s heart and make him altogether hers.  In this matter, Scribe Ana, as in others I ask your help, since I would be queen of Egypt in all ways, not in name only.”

“Your Highness, how can I say to the Prince—­’So much shall you love this or that woman and no more?’ Moreover, why do you fear that which has not and may never come about?”