“It seems to me, Prince, that whatever may be the case with Ki’s second prophecy, his third is in the way of fulfilment—namely that this journey to Goshen may cause you to risk your throne.” He shrugged his shoulders and answered: “Not even for that, Ana, will I say to Pharaoh what is not in my mind. But let that matter be till you are stronger.” “What chanced at the end of the fight, Prince, and how came I here?” “The guard killed most of the Hebrews who remained alive. Some few fled and escaped in the darkness, among them Laban their leader, although you had wounded him, and six were taken alive. They await their trial. I was but little hurt and you, whom we thought dead, were but senseless, and senseless or wandering you have remained till this hour. We carried you in a litter, and here you have been these three days.” “And the lady Merapi?” “We set her in a chariot and brought her to the city, since had we left her she would certainly have been murdered by her people. When Pharaoh heard what she had done, as I did not think it well that she should dwell here, he gave her the small house in this garden that she might be guarded, and with it slave women to attend upon her. So there she dwells, having the freedom of the palace, and all the while has filled the office of your nurse.” At this moment I grew faint and shut my eyes. When I opened them again, the Prince had gone. Six more days went by before I was allowed to leave my bed, and during this time I saw much of Merapi. She was very sad and lived in fear of being killed by the Hebrews. Also she was troubled in her heart because she thought she had betrayed her faith and people. “At least you are rid of Laban,” I said. “Never shall I be rid of him while we both live,” she answered. “I belong to him and he will not loose my bond, because his heart is set on me.” “And is your heart set on him?” I asked. Her beautiful eyes filled with tears. “A woman may not have a heart. Oh! Ana, I am unhappy,” she answered, and went away. Also I saw others. The Princess came to visit me. She thanked me much because I had fulfilled my promise to her and guarded the Prince. Moreover she brought me a gift of gold from Pharaoh, and other gifts of fine raiment from herself. She questioned me closely about Merapi, of whom I could see she was already jealous, and was glad when she learned that she was affianced to a Hebrew. Old Bakenkhonsu came too, and asked me many things about the Prince, the Hebrews and Merapi, especially Merapi, of whose deeds, he said, all Egypt was talking, questions that I answered as best I could. “Here we have that woman of whom Ki told us,” he said, “she who shall bring so much joy and so much sorrow to the Prince of Egypt.” “Why so?” I asked. “He has not taken her into his house, nor do I think that he means to do so.”