A dead lion is not to be feared, my niece." Seti smiled at this insult, but Merapi's face, like my own, grew red, as though with anger.
"Sleeping lions have been taken for dead ere now, my uncle, as those who would spurn them have discovered to their cost.

Prince Seti, have you no word to help me in this strait ?" "What is the strait, Lady?
If you wish to go to your people and--to Laban, who, I understand, is recovered from his hurts, there is naught between you and me save my gratitude to you which gives me the right to say you shall not go.

If, however, you wish to stay, then perhaps I am still not so powerless to shield or smite as this worthy Jabez thinks, who still remain the greatest lord in Egypt and one with those that love him.

Therefore should you desire to remain, I think that you may do so unmolested of any, and least of all by that friend in whose shadow it pleases you to sojourn." "Those are very gentle words," murmured Merapi, "words that few would speak to a maid from whom naught is asked and who has naught to give." "A truce to this talk," snarled the messenger.

"Do you obey or do you rebel?
Your answer." She turned and looked him full in the face, saying: "I do not return to Goshen and to Laban, of whose sword I have seen enough." "Mayhap you will see more of it before all is done.