sleeping-place."

Pambasa went, and presently through the curtain appeared a royal-looking
lady splendidly apparelled. She was accompanied by four waiting women
who fell back on the threshold and were no more seen. The Prince stepped
forward, took both her hands in his and kissed her on the brow, then
drew back again, after which they stood a moment looking at each other.
While they remained thus I studied her who was known throughout the land
as the "Beautiful Royal Daughter," but whom till now I had never seen.
In truth I did not think her beautiful, although even had she been clad
in a peasant's robe I should have been sure that she was royal. Her
face was too hard for beauty and her black eyes, with a tinge of grey in
them, were too small. Also her nose was too sharp and her lips were
too thin. Indeed, had it not been for the delicately and finely-shaped
woman's form beneath, I might have thought that a prince and not a
princess stood before me. For the rest in most ways she resembled her
half-brother Seti, though her countenance lacked the kindliness of his;
or rather both of them resembled their father, Meneptah.

"Greeting, Sister," he said, eyeing her with a smile in which I caught a
gleam of mockery. "Purple-bordered robes, emerald necklace and enamelled
crown of gold, rings and pectoral, everything except a sceptre--why are
you so royally arrayed to visit one so humble as your loving brother?
You come like sunlight into the darkness of the hermit's cell and dazzle
the poor hermit, or rather hermits," and he pointed to me.

"Cease your jests, Seti," she replied in a full, strong voice. "I wear
these ornaments because they please me. Also I have supped with our
father, and those who sit at Pharaoh's table must be suitably arrayed,
though I have noted that sometimes you think otherwise."