They said that their messenger had exceeded his authority, since they had never told him to curse Merapi, and much less attempt to kill her, and that the Prince did right to slay one who would have done murder before his royal eyes.

Still they added that the curse, having once been spoken by this priest, would surely fall upon Merapi in this way or in that." "What then should she do, Jabez ?" "I do not know, Scribe.

If she returns to her people, perchance she will be absolved, but then she must surely marry Laban.

It is for her to judge." "And what would you do if you were in her place, Jabez ?" "I think that I should stay where I was, and make myself very dear to Seti, taking the chance that the curse may pass her by, since it was not lawfully decreed upon her.

Whichever way she looks, trouble waits, and at the worst, a woman might wish to satisfy her heart before it falls, especially if that heart should happen to turn to one who will be Pharaoh." "Why do you say 'who will be Pharaoh,' Jabez ?" I asked, for we were standing in an empty place alone.
"That I may not tell you," he replied cunningly, "yet it will come about as I say.