pay for it, Pharaoh may have a large household, I seek a queen who shall
reign in my heart as well as on my throne, not a 'large household,' Ana.
Oh! I am weary. Pambasa, come hither and conduct my secretary, Ana, to
the empty room that is next to my own, the painted chamber which looks
toward the north, and bid my slaves attend to all his wants as they
would to mine."



"Why did you tell me you were a scribe, my lord Ana?" asked Pambasa, as
he led me to my beautiful sleeping-place.

"Because that is my trade, Chamberlain."

He looked at me, shaking his great head till the long white beard waved
across his breast like a temple banner in the faint evening breeze, and
answered:

"You are no scribe, you are a magician who can win the love and favour
of his Highness in an hour which others cannot do between two risings
of the Nile. Had you said so at once, you would have been differently
treated yonder in the hall of waiting. Forgive me therefore what I did
in ignorance, and, my lord, I pray it may please you not to melt away in
the night, lest my feet should answer for it beneath the sticks."

It was the fourth hour from sunrise of the following day that, for the
first time in my life I found myself in the Court of Pharaoh standing
with other members of his household in the train of his Highness, the
Prince Seti. It was a very great place, for Pharaoh sat in the judgment
hall, whereof the roof is upheld by round and sculptured columns,