marriage of himself, as is perhaps natural. I know, too, that other
women will come into his life, though these may be fewer than in the
case of most kings, because he is more hard to please. Of such I cannot
complain, as this is according to the customs of our country. I fear
only one thing--namely that some woman, ceasing to be his toy, may take
Seti's heart and make him altogether hers. In this matter, Scribe Ana,
as in others I ask your help, since I would be queen of Egypt in all
ways, not in name only."

"Your Highness, how can I say to the Prince--'So much shall you love
this or that woman and no more?' Moreover, why do you fear that which
has not and may never come about?"

"I do not know how you can say such a thing, Scribe, still I ask you to
say it if you can. As to why I fear, it is because I seem to feel the
near shadow of some woman lying cold upon me and building a wall of
blackness between his Highness and myself."

"It is but a dream, Princess."

"Mayhap. I hope so. Yet I think otherwise. Oh! Ana, cannot you, who
study the hearts of men and women, understand my case? I have married
where I can never hope to be loved as other women are, I who am a wife,
yet not a wife. I read your thought; it is--why then did you marry?
Since I have told you so much I will tell you that also. First, it is
because the Prince is different to other men and in his own fashion
above them, yes, far above any with whom I could have wed as royal
heiress of Egypt. Secondly, because being cut off from love, what
remains to me but ambition? At least I would be a great queen, as was
Hatshepu in her day, and lift my country out of the many troubles in