once more in the enjoyment of its rights."

"Perhaps we shall achieve it," said Ani; "but in a short time if--if--
Reflect, Katuti; try to find out, ask your daughter to help you to the
utmost. Who is it that she--you know whom I mean--Who is it that Bent-
Anat loves?"

The widow started, for Ani had spoken the last words with a vehemence
very foreign to his usual courtliness, but soon she smiled and repeated
to the Regent the names of the few young nobles who had not followed the
king, and remained in Thebes. "Can it be Chamus?" at last she said,
"he is at the camp, it is true, but nevertheless--"

At this instant Nemu, who had not lost a word of the conversation, came
in as if straight from the garden and said:

"Pardon me, my lady; but I have heard a strange thing."

"Speak," said Katuti.

The high and mighty princess Bent-Anat, the daughter of Rameses, is said
to have an open love-affair with a young priest of the House of Seti."

"You barefaced scoundrel!" exclaimed Ani, and his eyes sparkled with
rage. "Prove what you say, or you lose your tongue."

"I am willing to lose it as a slanderer and traitor according to the
law," said the little man abjectly, and yet with a malicious laugh; "but
this time I shall keep it, for I can vouch for what I say. You both know
that Bent-Anat was pronounced unclean because she stayed for an hour and