treets, every first-born in thy
realm perished in the home of his father this night!"

The entire assembly cried out, and most of them ran sobbing and praying
from the chamber. Instantly the outcry and clamor in the palace broke
forth again, for the inhabitants knew that the blow which had smitten
Rameses had fallen on one of their own.

Meneptah staggered away from Hotep, his frenzy upon him again.

"Send them hither," he cried hoarsely, waving his arms toward a
white-faced courtier that had stood his ground. "Send them hither--the
Hebrews, Mesu and Aaron! Israel shall depart, before they make me sink
the world! For they have sent madness upon me! I condemned my gentle
son, I punished those who gave me wise counsel, I have ruined Egypt, I
have slain mine heir, and now the blood of the first-born of all my
kingdom is upon my head!" His voice rose to a shriek, and Hotep,
putting an arm about him, hushed him with gentle authority and signed
the courtier to obey.

The physicians lifted the queen and bore her away. Seti stopped at
Masanath's side and looked at her with compassion in his eyes. Har-hat
came to him.

"Seeing that thou hast won the pardon of thy father, am I not also
included in the restoration of good feeling? Have I won thine enmity,
my Prince?"

"I hold naught against thee, O Har-hat, but thou hast not been a
profitable counselor to my father in these days of his great need."
The young prince spoke frankly and returned the comprehending gaze of
the fan-bearer. Har-hat's eyes fell on his daughter, and again on the
prince. Slow discomfiture overspread his features. Rameses was dead
and with him died the fan-bearer's hold upon his position. Seti was
arisen in the heir's place, with all the heir's enmity to him. But
from Seti he could not purchase security with Masanath.

Hotep supported Meneptah out of the death chamber, for the court
paraschites were already hiding in the shadows of the great halls
without. The bed-chamber slowly emptied. Har-hat lifted Masanath and
followed the last out-going courtier.

Another tumult had arisen in the great corridor, an uproar of another
nature that advanced from the entrance hall of the palace. There were
cries of supplication, persuasion, urging, that were frantic in their
earnestness. The whole palace seemed to be on its knees.

Hotep, with the king, had paused, and several courtiers went before him
and looked down the cross corridor. Instant