Soldiers sprang forward to do his bidding, but Seti said quietly: “Let the fellow be, friends; he lacks manners, that is all. Is he hurt?” As he spoke Laban leapt to his feet and, fearing worse things, fled away with a curse and a glare of hate at the Prince. “Farewell, Lady,” said Seti. “I wish you a quick recovery.” “I thank your Highness,” she answered, looking about her confusedly. “Be pleased to wait a little while that I may return to you your jewel.” “Nay, keep it, Lady, and if ever you are in need or trouble of any sort, send it to me who know it well and you shall not lack succour.” She glanced at him and burst into tears. “Why do you weep?” he asked. “Oh! your Highness, because I fear that trouble is near at hand. My affianced, Laban, has a revengeful heart. Help me to the house, my uncle.” “Listen, Hebrew,” said Seti, raising his voice; “if aught that is evil befalls this niece of yours, or if she is forced to walk whither she would not go, sorrow shall be your portion and that of all with whom you have to do. Do you hear?” “O my Lord, I hear, I hear. Fear nothing. She shall be guarded carefully as—as she will doubtless guard that trinket on her foot.” “Ana,” said the Prince to me that night, when I was talking with him before he went to rest, “I know not why, but I fear that man Laban; he has an evil eye.” “I too think it would have been better if your Highness had left him to be dealt with by the soldiers, after which there would have been nothing to fear from him in this world.” “Well, I did not, so there’s an end. Ana, she is a fair woman and a sweet.” “The fairest and the sweetest that ever I saw, my Prince.” “Be careful, Ana. I pray you be careful, lest you should fall in love with one who is already affianced.” I only looked at him in answer, and as I looked I bethought me of the words of Ki the Magician. So, I think, did the Prince; at least he laughed not unhappily and turned away. For my part I rested ill that night, and when at last I slept, it was to dream of Merapi making her prayer in the rays of the moon. CHAPTER VII. THE AMBUSH Eight full days went by before we left the land of Goshen. The story that the Israelites had to tell was long, sad also. Moreover, they gave evidence as to many cruel things that they had suffered, and when this was finished the testimony of the guards and others must be called, all of which it was necessary to write down. Lastly, the Prince seemed to be in no hurry to be gone, as he said because he hoped that the two prophets would return from the wilderness, which they never did. During all this time Seti saw no more of Merapi, nor indeed did he speak of her, even when the Count Amenmeses jested him as to his chariot companion and asked him if he had driven again in the desert by moonlight.