Pharaoh, watching, saw if he did not hear.

"Who is that man, Son?" he asked.

"He is Ana my private scribe and librarian, O Pharaoh, whom I trust. It
was he who saved me from harm but last night."

"You say it, Son. Let him remain in attendance on you, knowing that if
he betrays our council he dies."

Userti looked up frowning as though she were about to speak. If so, she
changed her mind and was silent, perhaps because Pharaoh's word once
spoken could not be altered. Bakenkhonsu remained also as a Councillor
of the King according to his right.

When all had gone Pharaoh, who had been brooding, lifted his head and
spoke slowly but in the voice of one who gives a judgment that may not
be questioned, saying:

"Prince Seti, you are my only son born of Queen Ast-Nefert, royal
Sister, royal Mother, who sleeps in the bosom of Osiris. It is true that
you are not my first-born son, since the Count Ramessu"--here he pointed
to a stout mild-faced man of pleasing, rather foolish appearance--"is
your elder by two years. But, as he knows well, his mother, who is still
with us, is a Syrian by birth and of no royal blood, and therefore he
can never sit upon the throne of Egypt. Is it not so, my son Ramessu?"

"It is so, O Pharaoh," answered the Count in a pleasant voice, "not do I
seek ever to sit upon that throne, who am well content with the