ician, on whose soul it
has pleased thee to pour strength and wisdom."

Then followed a great silence.

Watching the statue of the god, presently I thought that it moved, and
as I could see by the stir among them, so did the others. I thought that
its stone eyes rolled, I thought that it lifted the Scourge of Power in
its granite hand, though whether these things were done by some spirit
or by some priest, or by the magic of Ki, I do not know. At the least,
a great wind began to blow about the temple, stirring our robes and
causing the lamps to flicker. Only the robes of Merapi did not stir. Yet
she saw what I could not see, for suddenly her eyes grew frightened.

"The god is awake," whispered Bakenkhonsu. "Now good-bye to your fair
Israelite. See, the Prince trembles, Ki smiles, and the face of Userti
glows with triumph."

As he spoke the blue scarabaeus was snatched from Merapi's breast as
though by a hand. It fell to the floor as did her wimple, so that now
she appeared with her rich hair flowing down her robe. Then the eyes of
the statue seemed to cease to roll, the wind ceased to blow, and again
there was silence.

Merapi stooped, lifted the wimple, replaced it on her head, found the
scarabaeus clasp, and very quietly, as a woman who was tiring herself
might do, made it fast in its place again, a sight at which I heard
Userti gasp.

For a long while we waited. Watching the faces of the congregation, I
saw amazement and doubt on those of the priests, rage on that of Ki, and
on Seti's the flicker of a little smile. Merapi's eyes were closed as
though she were asleep. At length she opened them, and turning her head
towards the Prince said:

"O high-priest of Amon-Ra, has your god worked his will on me, or must I
wait longer before I call upon my God?"

"Do what you will or can, woman, and make an end, for almost it is the
moment of dawn when the temple worship opens."

Then Merapi clasped her hands, and looking upwards, prayed aloud very
sweetly and simply, saying:

"O God of my fathers, trusting in Thee, I, a poor maid of Thy people
Israel, have set the life Thou gavest me in Thy Hand. If, as I believe,
Thou art the God of gods, I pray Thee show a sign and a wonder upon
this god of the Egyptians, and thereby declare Thine Honour and keep
my breath within my breast. If it pleases Thee not, then let me die, as
doubtless for my many sins I deserve to do. O God of my fathers, I have
made my prayer. Hear it o