ress to the throne, seeing that in her there is more strength and
wisdom than in any other of our House."

"If such be Pharaoh's will, let Pharaoh's will be done," said Seti most
humbly. "Well I know my own unworthiness to fill so high a station,
and by all the gods I swear that my beloved sister will find no more
faithful subject than myself."

"You mean, Seti," interrupted Userti, "that rather than marry me you
would abandon your right to the double crown. Truly I am honoured. Seti,
whether you reign or I, I will not marry you."

"What words are these I hear?" cried Meneptah. "Is there indeed one
in this land of Egypt who dares to say that Pharaoh's decree shall
be disobeyed? Write it down, Scribes, and you, O Officers, let it be
proclaimed from Thebes to the sea, that on the third day from now at the
hour of noon in the temple of Hathor in this city, the Prince, the
Royal Heir, Seti Meneptah, Beloved of Ra, will wed the Royal Princess
of Egypt, Lily of Love, Beloved of Hathor, Userti, Daughter of me, the
god."

"Life! Blood! Strength!" called all the Court.

Then, guided by some high officer, the Prince Seti was led before the
throne and the Princess Userti was set beside him, or rather facing him.
According to the ancient custom a great gold cup was brought and filled
with red wine, to me it looked like blood. Userti took the cup and,
kneeling, gave it to the Prince, who drank and gave it back to her that
she might also drink in solemn token of their betrothal. Is not the
scene graven on the broad bracelets of gold which in after days Seti
wore when he sat upon the throne, those same bracelets that at a future
time I with my own hands clasped about the wrists of dead Userti?

Then he stretched out his hand which she touched with her lips, and
bending down he kissed her on the brow. Lastly, Pharaoh, descending to
the lowest step of the throne, laid his sceptre, first upon the head of
the Prince, and next upon that of the Princess, blessing them both in
the name of himself, of his Ka or Double, and of the spirits and Kas of
all their forefathers, kings and queens of Egypt, thus appointing them
to come after him when he had been gathered to the bosom of the gods.

These things done, he departed in state, surrounded by his court,
preceded and followed by his guards and leaning on the arm of the
Princess Userti, whom he loved better than anyone in the world.

A while later I stood alone with the Prince in his pri