Hearken, Pharaoh, and Royal Lady, and High Priest.

I knew that my master loves the lady Amada and knew also that she is quick of tongue and temper, one who readily takes offence even if thereby she breaks her own heart and so brings her life to ruin, and with it perchance her country.

Therefore, knowing women whom I have studied in my own land, I saw in this matter just such a cause of offence as she would lay hold of, and counselled my master to keep silent as to the story of the naming of her before the King.

Some evil spirit made him listen to this bad counsel, so far at least, that when I lied as to what had chanced, for which lie the lady Amada prayed that I might be scourged till my bones broke through the skin, he did not at once tell all the truth.

Nor did he do so afterwards because he feared that if he did I should in fact be scourged, for my master and I love each other.
Neither of us wishes to see the other scourged, though such is my lot to-night," and he glanced at Amada.