Slow discomfiture overspread his features. Rameses was dead
and with him died the fan-bearer's hold upon his position. Seti was
arisen in the heir's place, with all the heir's enmity to him. But
from Seti he could not purchase security with Masanath.
Hotep supported Meneptah out of the death chamber, for the court
paraschites were already hiding in the shadows of the great halls
without. The bed-chamber slowly emptied. Har-hat lifted Masanath and
followed the last out-going courtier.
Another tumult had arisen in the great corridor, an uproar of another
nature that advanced from the entrance hall of the palace. There were
cries of supplication, persuasion, urging, that were frantic in their
earnestness. The whole palace seemed to be on its knees.
Hotep, with the king, had paused, and several courtiers went before him
and looked down the cross corridor. Instantly they fell on their
knees, crying out:
"Ye have the leave of the powers of Egypt! Go! Make haste! Take your
flocks, all that is yours! Aye, strip us even, if ye will! But let
not the sun rise upon you in Egypt! For we be all dead men!"
A murmur ran through the ministers. "The Hebrews!"
They came slowly, side by side, the two brothers.
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