ve ships which brought the contents of your winelofts
should be unloaded. I should have thought that the future king of Egypt
might have been less anxious to save!"

Katuti's lips curled with contempt as she spoke the last words. Ani
observed this and said:

"You think I am timid! Well, I confess I would far rather that much which
I have done at your instigation could be undone. I would willingly
renounce this new plot, though we so carefully planned it when we built
and decorated this palace. I will sacrifice the wine; there are jars of
wine there that were old in my father's time--but it must be so! You are
right! Many things have occurred which the king will not forgive! You are
right, you are right--do what seems good to you. I will retire after the
feast to the Ethiopian camp."

"They will hail you as king as soon as the usurpers have fallen in the
flames," cried Katuti. "If only a few set the example, the others will
take up the cry, and even though you have offended Ameni he will attach
himself to you rather than to Rameses. Here he comes, and I already see
the standards in the distance."

"They are coming!" said the Regent. "One thing more! Pray see yourself
that the princess Bent-Anat goes to the rooms intended for her; she must
not be injured."

"Still Bent-Anat?" said Katuti with a smile full of meaning but without
bitterness. "Be easy, her rooms are on the ground floor, and she shall be
warned in time."

Ani turned to leave her; he glanced once more at the great hall, and said
with a sigh. "My heart is heavy--I wish this day and this night were
over!"

"You are like this grand hall," said Katuti smiling, "which is now empty,
almost dismal; but this evening, when it is crowded with guests, it will
look very different. You were born to be a king, and yet are not a king;
you will not be quite yourself till the crown and sceptre are your own."

Ani smiled too, thanked her, and left her; but Katuti said to herself:

"Bent-Anat may burn with the rest: I have no intention of sharing my
power with her!"

Crowds of men and women from all parts had thronged to Pelusium, to
welcome the conqueror and his victorious army on the frontier. Every
great temple-college had sent a deputation to meet Rameses, that from the
Necropolis consisting of five members, with Ameni and old Gagabu at their
head. The white-robed ministers of the Gods marched in solemn procession
towards the bridge which lay across the eastern-P