anwhile if there is aught in
the prophesies of these Hebrews, as interpreted by Jabez, at least you
and I may sleep in peace, which is more than will chance to Pharaoh
on the throne that Userti covets. If so, this play will be worth the
watching. You have done your mission well, Ana. Go rest you while I
think over all that you have said."

It was evening and as the palace was very hot I went into the garden and
making my way to that little pleasure-house where Seti and I were wont
to study, I sat myself down there and, being weary, fell asleep. When
I awoke from a dream about some woman who was weeping, night had fallen
and the full moon shone in the sky, so that its rays fell on the garden
before me.

Now in front of this little house, as I have said, grew trees that at
this season of the year were covered with white and cup-like blossoms,
and between these trees was a seat built up of sun-dried bricks. On this
seat sat a woman whom I knew from her shape to be Merapi. Also she was
sad, for although her head was bowed and her long hair hid her face I
could hear her gentle sighs.

The sight of her moved me very much and I remembered what the Prince had
said to me, telling me that I should do well to ask this lady whether
she had any mind my way. Therefore if I did so, surely I could not be
blamed. Yet I was certain that it was not to me that her heart turned,
though to speak the truth, much I wished it otherwise. Who would look
at the ibis in the swamp when the wide-winged eagle floated in heaven
above?

An evil thought came into my mind, sent by Set. Suppose that this
watcher's eyes were fixed upon the eagle, lord of the air. Suppose
that she worshipped this eagle; that she loved it because its home was
heaven, because to her it was the king of all the birds. And suppose one
told her that if she lured it down to earth from the glorious safety of
the skies, she would bring it to captivity or death at the hand of the
snarer. Then would not that loving watcher say: "Let it go free and
happy, however much I long to look upon it," and when it had sailed from
sight, perhaps turn her eyes to the humble ibis in the mud?

Jabez had told me that if this woman and the Prince grew dear to each
other she would bring great sorrow on his head. If I repeated his
words to her, she who had faith in the prophecies of her people would
certainly believe them. Moreover, whatever her heart might prompt, being
so high-natured, never