le to command himself. He is even able to recognize his errors, a
rare power and priceless in an heir to the throne of Egypt. The very
fact that the prince wishes to rouse our curiosity with his favorite
shows that the position in which he finds himself pains him; besides,
his reasons are among the noblest."

"But the Jewess!" whispered the lady, crushing her feather fan between
her fingers.

"At present I am quite at rest regarding her," continued Herhor. "She
is shapely, but dull; she never thinks of using influence on the
prince, nor could she do so. Shut up in a cage which is not over-
costly, she takes no gifts, and will not even see any one. In time,
perhaps, she might learn to make use of her position even to the extent
of decreasing the heir's treasury by some talents. Before that day
comes, however, Ramses will be tired of her."

"May the all-knowing Amon speak through thy mouth," said the lady.

"The prince, I am sure of this, has not grown wild over a favorite, as
happens often to young lords in Egypt. One keen, intriguing woman may
strip a man of property and health, nay, bring him to the hall of
judgment. The prince is amused with her as a grown-up man might be
amused with a slave girl. And Sarah is pregnant."

"Is that true?" cried the queen. "How dost Thou know?"

"It is not known to his worthiness the heir, or even to Sarah," said
Herhor, smiling. "We must know everything. This secret, however, was
not difficult to get at. With Sarah is her relative Tafet, an
incomparable gossip."

"Have they summoned a physician already?"

"Sarah knows nothing of this, I repeat, but the worthy Tafet, from fear
lest the prince might grow indifferent to her foster child, would be
glad to twist the neck of this secret. But we do not let her. That will
be the prince's child also."

"But if it is a son? Thou knowest that he may make trouble," put in the
lady.

"All is foreseen," replied Herhor. "If the child is a daughter, we will
give her a dowry and the education proper for young ladies of high
station. If a son, he will become a Jew."

"Oh, my grandson, a Jew!"

"Do not take thy heart too soon from him. Our envoys declare that the
people of Israel are beginning to desire a king. Before the child
matures their desires will ripen, and then we may give them a ruler,
and of good blood indeed."

"Thou art like an eagle which takes in East and West at a glance," said
the queen, eying the minister with amazement