Moreover, you cannot go, but must stay and bear your burdens as I bear
mine. Remember the broken cup, Ana."

"I remember, my Prince, but sooner would I be scourged with rods than by
such words as those to which I must listen."

Yet that very night, when I had left the Prince, I was destined to hear
more pleasant words from this same changeful, or perchance politic,
royal lady. She sent for me and I went, much afraid. I found her in a
small chamber alone, save for one old lady of honour who sat the end of
the room and appeared to be deaf, which perhaps was why she was chosen.
Userti bade me be seated before her very courteously, and spoke to me
thus, whether because of some talk she had held with the Prince or not,
I do not know.

"Scribe Ana, I ask your pardon if, being vexed and wearied, I said to
you and of you to-day what I now wish I had left unsaid. I know well
that you, being of the gentle blood of Egypt, will make no report of
what you heard outside these walls."

"May my tongue be cut out first," I answered.

"It seems, Scribe Ana, that my lord the Prince has taken a great love of
you. How or why this came about so suddenly, you being a man, I do not
understand, but I am sure that as it is so, it must be because there
is much in you to love, since never did I know the Prince to show deep
regard for one who was not most honourable and worthy. Now things being
so, it is plain that you will become the favourite of his Highness, a
man who does not change his mind in such matters, and that he will
tell you all his secret thoughts, perhaps some that he hides from the