“Do you recollect the one-eyed, grey-haired, blackman, who yesterday brought me a letter?  That was my sister’s son.”

The Regent struck his forehead—­“Poor wretch” he muttered.

“He is frightfully altered,” said Katuti.  “He need not have blackened his face, for his own mother would not know him again:  He lost an eye in his fight with Mena, who also wounded him in the lungs with a thrust of his sword, so that he breathes and speaks with difficulty, his broad shoulders have lost their flesh, and the fine legs he swaggered about on have shrunk as thin as a negro’s.  I let him pass as my servant without any hesitation or misgiving.  He does not yet know of my purpose, but I am sure that he would help us if a thousand deaths threatened him.  For God’s sake put aside all doubts and fears!  We will shake the tree for you, if you will only hold out your hand to-morrow to pick up the fruit.  Only one thing I must beg.  Command the head butler not to stint the wine, so that the guards may give us no trouble.  I know that you gave the order that only three of the five 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.”