at bottom are as honest as the rest."

Then followed the great and ancient ceremony of the Offering of the
Crown, in which spoke priests disguised as gods and other priests
disguised as mighty Pharaohs of the past; also the nobles of the Nomes
and the chief men of cities. When all had finished Seti answered:

"I take this, my heritage," and he touched the double crown, "not
because I desire it but because it is my duty, as I swore that I would
to one who has departed. Blow upon blow have smitten Egypt which, I
think, had my voice been listened to, would never have fallen. Egypt
lies bleeding and well-nigh dead. Let it be your work and mine to try to
nurse her back to life. For no long while am I with you, who also have
been smitten, how it matters not, yet while I am here, I who seem to
reign will be your servant and that of Egypt. It is my decree that no
feasts or ceremonials shall mark this my accession, and that the wealth
which would have been scattered upon them shall be distributed among the
widows and children of those who perished in the Sea of Reeds. Depart!"

They went, humble yet happy, since here was a Pharaoh who knew the needs
of Egypt, one too who loved her and who alone had shown himself wise of
heart while others were filled with madness. Then her Highness entered,
splendidly apparelled, crowned and followed by her household, and made
obeisance.

"Greeting to Pharaoh," she cried.

"Greeting to the Royal Princess of Egypt," he answered.

"Nay, Pharaoh, the Queen of Egypt."

By Seti's side there was another throne, that in which he had set dead
Merapi with a crown upon her head. He turned and looked at it a while.
Then, he said:

"I see that this seat is empty. Let the Queen of Egypt take her place
there if so she wills."

She stared at him as if she thought that he was mad, though doubtless
she had heard something of that story, then swept up the steps and sat
herself down in the royal chair.

"Your Majesty has been long absent," said Seti.

"Yes," she answered, "but as my Majesty promised she would do, she has
returned to her lawful place at the side of Pharaoh--never to leave it
more."

"Pharaoh thanks her Majesty," said Seti, bowing low.

Some six years had gone by, when one night I was seated with the Pharaoh
Seti Meneptah in his palace at Memphis, for there he always chose to
dwell when matters of State allowed.

It was on the anniversary of the Death of the Firstborn, and of thi