Are you prepared to stake your life against hers in this contest ?" "I am not so mad and vain, Seti, as to believe that the god of all the world will descend from heaven to save me at my prayer, as this impious girl pretends that she believes." "You refuse.

Then, Ana, what say you, who are a loyal worshipper of Amon ?" "I say, O Prince, that it would be presumptuous of me to take precedence of his high-priest in such a matter." Seti smiled and answered: "And the high-priest says that it would be presumptuous of him to push so far the prerogative of a high office which he never sought." "Your Highness," broke in Merapi in her honeyed, pleading voice, "I pray you to be gracious to me, and to suffer me to make this trial, which I have sought, I know not why.

Words such as I have spoken cannot be recalled.

Already they are registered in the books of Eternity, and soon or late, in this way or in that, must be fulfilled.

My life is staked, and I desire to learn at once if it be forfeit." Now even Userti looked on her with admiration, but answered only: "Of a truth, Israelite, I trust that this courage will not forsake you when you are handed over to the mercies of Ki, the Sacrificer of Amon, and the priests, in the vaults of the temple you would profane." "I also trust that it will not, your Highness, if such should be my fate.