'twin in Ra' forsooth! Fare you well, my Lord," and she rose from her
seat, gathering up her robes with both hands.

Then Seti grew angry.

"Userti," he said, stamping upon the floor, "you should not use such
words. You know well that I do not take you with me because there may be
danger yonder among the Hebrews. Moreover, it is not Pharaoh's wish."

She turned and answered with cold courtesy:

"Then I crave your pardon and thank you for your kind thought for
the safety of my person. I knew not this mission was so dangerous. Be
careful, Seti, that the scribe Ana comes to no harm."

So saying she bowed and vanished through the curtains.

"Ana," said Seti, "tell me, for I never was quick at figures, how many
minutes is it from now till the fourth hour to-morrow morning when I
shall order my chariot to be ready? Also, do you know whether it is
possible to travel from Goshen across the marshes and to return by
Syria? Or, failing that, to travel across the desert to Thebes and sail
down the Nile in the spring?"

"Oh! my Prince, my Prince," I said, "I pray you to dismiss me. Let me go
anywhere out of the reach of her Highness's tongue."

"It is strange how alike we think upon every matter, Ana, even of Merapi
and the tongues of royal ladies. Hearken to my command. You are not to
go. If it is a question of going, there are others who will go first.