“Did he tell thee?” Seti demanded.

“Nay; I learned it from another source, not in the palace.”  The prince lapsed into silence, his eyes averted.  Ta-user regarded him intently.  Suddenly he raised his head.

“Dost thou know the amount of his share?” he asked.

“It is but a moderate part of the queen’s fortune, since each of the king’s children by his many women was included.”

Seti winced, for there was something dimly offensive in the calm way she stated the bald fact.

“It is not much, as princely dowers go,” she added casually.

“He shall have it,” Seti said almost impatiently.  “Out of mine own wealth he shall have it—­not as a bribe—­he would not have it so—­but because it is his.”

She caught his hands to her breast and cried out in delight.

“And I shall be thy lieutenant, and none shall know of it, save thee and me.”

He smiled up at her.

“Nay, there is danger in this,” he said gently, “and I would not imperil thee.  Already thou hast overstepped safety for Egypt’s sake and mine.  More than this I will not let thee do.”

An expression of panic swept over her face.  He interpreted it as hurt.

“Thou hast been my guide for so long, Ta-user.  Let me choose this once for thee.”

She pouted, and putting him away from her, arose and left him.  He followed her and took her hands.

“A confederate thou must have,” she complained; “and whom dost thou trust more than Ta-user?”

“It is not a matter of trust,” he explained, “but of thine immunity should the Hathors frown upon my plan.”

“It matters not,” she protested.  “Whom wilt thou trust and imperil instead of Ta-user?”

“Thou dost hurry me in my plan-making,” he remonstrated mildly.  “Mayhap I shall choose Hotep.”

She flung up her head, her face the picture of dismay.

“Nay, nay! not Hotep!  Of all thy world, not Hotep!” she exclaimed.

He lifted his brows in amazement.

“Surely thou dost not question his fidelity—­his power?”

“Nay! but dost thou not guess what he will do?  Thou child!  Abet thee!  Nay! he would set his foot upon thy plan and foil thee at once with his politic hand.”

“Hotep will obey as I command; that thou knowest,” he said with dignity.

“Thou wilt not reach the point of command with him,” she vehemently insisted.  “He would catch thine intent ere thou hadst stated it and would make thee aghast at thyself in a twinkling by his smooth reasoning and vivid auguries.  Nay, if thou art to have thy way in this, I wash my hands of it.  We are as good as undone.”

She turned away from him, but he followed her contritely.

“I submit,” he said helplessly.  “Advise me, but I—­nay, ask me not to endanger thee, Ta-user.”

She shook her head and moved on.  He advanced a step or two after her, stopped, and wheeling about, resumed his place at the parapet.