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Updated: June 27, 2025
Now at these fateful words there arose a sigh of astonishment from all that heard them. Before it had died away Pharaoh had turned to Userti and was asking: "Are these your counsel, your will, and your intent also, O Princess of Egypt?" "Let Pharaoh hear me," answered Userti in a cold, clear voice, "they are not. In this great matter my lord the Prince walks one road and I walk another.
"Yes, Userti, at least I think so. You have the writings safe, have you not, Ana?" "Quite safe, your Highness," I answered, though I knew not of what writings he spoke, unless they were the manuscripts of my stories. "Then, my Lord, I will leave you to talk of the tidings from Memphis and these writings," said the Princess. "Yes, yes. We must talk of them, Userti.
"Very hard, Ana; so hard that when it is attempted both are apt to vanish. Well, our mothers having been true royal wives, though hers died before mine was wedded by my father, Pharaoh desires that I should marry my half-sister, Userti, and what is worse, she desires it also.
The Princess Userti came first and kissed Pharaoh's hand, but bent no knee. Indeed first she spoke with him a while. We could not hear what was said, but afterwards learned that she demanded that he should publicly repeat all the promises which her father Meneptah had made to her before him, confirming her in her place and rights. This in the end he did, though it seemed to me unwillingly enough.
"I also trust that it will not, your Highness, if such should be my fate. Your word, Prince of Egypt." Seti looked at her standing before him so calmly with bowed head, and hands crossed upon her breast. Then he looked at Userti, who wore a mocking smile upon her face. She read the meaning of that smile as I did.
She sent for me and I went, much afraid. I found her in a small chamber alone, save for one old lady of honour who sat the end of the room and appeared to be deaf, which perhaps was why she was chosen. Userti bade me be seated before her very courteously, and spoke to me thus, whether because of some talk she had held with the Prince or not, I do not know.
"O Prince," she pleaded, "my prayer is that you will save the Hebrews from death by the sword, as you alone have the power to do." At this moment the doors opened and in swept the royal Userti. "What does this woman here?" she asked. "I think that she came to see Ana, wife, as I did, and as doubtless you do. Also being here she prays me to save her people from the sword."
In front of Amenmeses went the Princess Userti, and as she passed the head of the god bowed, for I saw it, though all pretended that they did not see. Then came Pharaoh and stood waiting, but it would not bow, though the priests called in the old formula, 'The god greets the king. "At length he went on, looking as black as night, and others of the blood of Rameses followed in their order.
"Who is that man, Son?" he asked. "He is Ana my private scribe and librarian, O Pharaoh, whom I trust. It was he who saved me from harm but last night." "You say it, Son. Let him remain in attendance on you, knowing that if he betrays our council he dies." Userti looked up frowning as though she were about to speak.
"If such be Pharaoh's will, let Pharaoh's will be done," said Seti most humbly. "Well I know my own unworthiness to fill so high a station, and by all the gods I swear that my beloved sister will find no more faithful subject than myself." "You mean, Seti," interrupted Userti, "that rather than marry me you would abandon your right to the double crown. Truly I am honoured.
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