Here I heard Amenmeses mutter, “Being my aunt that is not strange,” a saying at which Seti smiled.
“My daughter, the Princess, is also unmarried. So it seems that the fountain of the royal blood is running dry——”
“Now it is coming,” whispered Seti below his breath so that only I could hear.
“Therefore,” continued Pharaoh, “as you know, Prince Seti, for the royal Princess of Egypt by my command went to speak to you of this matter last night, I make a decree——”
“Pardon, O Pharaoh,” interrupted the Prince, “my sister spoke to me of no decree last night, save that I should attend at the court here to-day.”
“Because I could not, Seti, seeing that another was present with you whom you refused to dismiss,” and she let her eyes rest on me.
“It matters not,” said Pharaoh, “since now I will utter it with my own lips which perhaps is better. It is my will, Prince, that you forthwith wed the royal Princess Userti, that children of the true blood of the Ramessides may be born. Hear and obey.”
Now Userti shifted her eyes from me to Seti, watching him very closely. Seated at his side upon the ground with my writing roll spread across my knee, I, too, watched him closely, and noted that his lips turned white and his face grew fixed and strange.
“I hear the command of Pharaoh,” he said in a low voice making obeisance, and hesitated.
“Have you aught to add?” asked Meneptah sharply.