The pale and troubled queen strove in vain. Meneptah thrust her aside and shaking his clenched hand at the solitary figure before him, ended the audience in a voice violent with fury.
"Get thee from me! Take heed to thyself; see my face no more. For in that day thou seest my face, thou shalt die!"
After the speech, the silence fell, deepened, grew ominous. None breathed, and the overwrought nerves of the court reached the limit of endurance.
Then Moses answered. His tones were quiet, his voice full of a calm more terrifying than an outburst had been.
"Thou hast spoken well," he said. "I will see thy face no more."
Another breathless silence and he turned, the courtiers shrinking from his way, and passed out of the hall.
At the doors, his eyes fell upon Seti. He made no sign of surprise. Indeed his glance seemed to indicate that he expected the prince. He raised his hand and extended it for a moment over the boy's head, and went forth.
The strength went from Seti's limbs, the passion from his brain, and when Rameses with grim purpose in his face beckoned him, he obeyed meekly and prostrated himself before the angry king.
[1] Zoan—The Hebrew name for Tanis.