"Why," he cried, "it is Ana returned from Memphis! Draw near, Ana, and
a thousand welcomes to you. Do you know I thought that you were another
high-priest, or governor of some Nome of which I had never heard."

"Ana! Who is Ana?" asked the Princess. "Oh! I remember that scribe----.
Well, it is plain that he has returned from Memphis," and she eyed my
dusty robe.

"Royal One," I murmured abashed, "do not blame me that I enter your
presence thus. Pambasa led me here against my will by the direct order
of the Prince."

"Is it so? Say, Seti, does this man bring tidings of import from Memphis
that you needed his presence in such haste?"

"Yes, Userti, at least I think so. You have the writings safe, have you
not, Ana?"

"Quite safe, your Highness," I answered, though I knew not of what
writings he spoke, unless they were the manuscripts of my stories.

"Then, my Lord, I will leave you to talk of the tidings from Memphis and
these writings," said the Princess.

"Yes, yes. We must talk of them, Userti. Also of the journey to the land
of Goshen on which Ana starts with me to-morrow."

"To-morrow! Why this morning you told me it was fixed for three days
hence."