his arms.

"That is finished," he said, "as everything finishes, and for once I am
sorry. Now what next? Sleep, I suppose, in which all ends, or perhaps
you would say all begins."

As he spoke the curtains at the end of the room were drawn and between
them appeared the chamberlain, Pambasa, holding his gold-tipped wand
ceremoniously before him.

"What is it now, man?" asked Seti. "Can I not even sup in peace? Stay,
before you answer tell me, do things end or begin in sleep? The learned
Ana and I differ on the matter and would hear your wisdom. Bear in mind,
Pambasa, that before we are born we must have slept, since of that time
we remember nothing, and after we are dead we certainly seem to sleep,
as any who have looked on mummies know. Now answer."

The chamberlain stared at the wine flask on the table as though he
suspected his master of having drunk too much. Then in a hard official
voice he said:

"She comes! She comes! She comes, offering greetings and adoration to
the Royal Son of Ra."

"Does she indeed?" asked Seti. "If so, why say it three times? And who
comes?"

"The high Princess, the heiress of Egypt, the daughter of Pharaoh, your
Highness's royal half-sister, the great lady Userti."

"Let her enter then. Ana, stand you behind me. If you grow weary and
I give leave you can depart; the slaves will show you your
sleeping-place."

Pambasa went, and presently through the curtain appeared a royal-looking
lady splendidly apparelled. She was accompanied by four waiting women
who fell back on the threshold and were no more seen. The Prince stepped
forward, took both her hands in his and kissed her on the brow, then
drew back again, after which they stood a moment looking at each other.
While they remained thus I studied her who was known throughout the land
as the "Beautiful Royal Daughter," but whom till now I had never seen.
In truth I did not think her beautiful, although even had she been clad
in a peasant's robe I should have been sure that she was royal. Her
face was too hard for beauty and her black eyes, with a tinge of grey in
them, were too small. Also her nose was too sharp and her lips were
too thin. Indeed, had it not been for the delicately and finely-shaped
woman's form beneath, I might have thought that a prince and not a
princess stood before me. For the rest in most ways she resembled her
half-brother Seti, though her countenance lacked the kindliness of his;
or rather both of them rese