"That is finished," he said, "as everything finishes, and for once I am
sorry. Now what next? Sleep, I suppose, in which all ends, or perhaps
you would say all begins."

As he spoke the curtains at the end of the room were drawn and between
them appeared the chamberlain, Pambasa, holding his gold-tipped wand
ceremoniously before him.

"What is it now, man?" asked Seti. "Can I not even sup in peace? Stay,
before you answer tell me, do things end or begin in sleep? The learned
Ana and I differ on the matter and would hear your wisdom. Bear in mind,
Pambasa, that before we are born we must have slept, since of that time
we remember nothing, and after we are dead we certainly seem to sleep,
as any who have looked on mummies know. Now answer."

The chamberlain stared at the wine flask on the table as though he
suspected his master of having drunk too much. Then in a hard official
voice he said:

"She comes! She comes! She comes, offering greetings and adoration to
the Royal Son of Ra."

"Does she indeed?" asked Seti. "If so, why say it three times? And who
comes?"

"The high Princess, the heiress of Egypt, the daughter of Pharaoh, your
Highness's royal half-sister, the great lady Userti."

"Let her enter then. Ana, stand you behind me. If you grow weary and
I give leave you can depart; the slaves will show you your