Of all of these supplications the scribes took notes, while to some the Vizier and councillors made answer.

But as yet Pharaoh said nothing.

There he sat silent on his splendid throne of ivory and gold, like a god of stone above the altar, staring down the long hall and through the open doors as though he would read the secrets of the skies beyond.
"I told you that courts were wearisome, friend Ana," whispered the Prince to me without turning his head.

"Do you not already begin to wish that you were back writing tales at Memphis ?" Before I could answer some movement in the throng at the end of the hall drew the eyes of the Prince and of all of us.

I looked, and saw advancing towards the throne a tall, bearded man already old, although his black hair was but grizzled with grey.