"Why must I put away Sarah?"
"Shouldst Thou have a son from her, complications might rise in the State, which is troubled enough as matters now are. Thou mayst be angry with the priests," added she, "if Thou wilt not offend them in public. They know that it is necessary to overlook much in an heir to the throne, especially when he has such a stormy character. But time pacifies everything to the glory of the dynasty and the profit of Egypt."
The prince meditated; then he said suddenly,
"I cannot count, therefore, on money from the treasury."
"Thou canst not in any case. The grand secretary would have been forced to stop payment today had I not given him fourteen talents sent from Tyre to me."
"And what shall I do with the army?" asked the prince, rubbing his forehead impatiently.
"Put away the Jewess, and beg the priests. Perhaps they will make a loan to thee."
"Never! I prefer a loan from Phoenicians."
The lady shook her head.
"Thou art erpatr, act as may please thee. But I say that Thou must give great security, and the Phoenicians, when once thy creditors, will not let thee go. They surpass the Jews in treachery."