Henrietta Throckmorton

Henrietta Throckmorton is an archaeologist whose discovery of Amenemhab’s adjoining tomb leads to the recovery of the Heart of Egypt. Returning from Cairo with artifacts kept close rather than shipped separately, she reunites with her daughter and brings the powerful object into the family’s home, where Theodosia immediately senses its curse.

Background and Archaeological Work

Henrietta’s Egyptian work is connected to a history of shared archaeological ambition with Alistair Throckmorton. When Theodosia was two, Henrietta and Alistair travelled to the Valley of the Kings to investigate the likely location of the tomb of Thutmose III, whose military achievements were associated by some with his minister of war, Amenemhab. Their expedition succeeded, but a colleague betrayed them and Victor Loretti claimed official credit for the discovery. The episode establishes a past in which the couple’s research produced important results without securing recognition for the people who undertook it.

Years later, Henrietta pursued Alistair’s theory about the location of Amenemhab’s tomb. After two years of searching without success, she found the adjoining tomb. Her achievement was therefore both a discovery in its own right and a realization of research that had begun with Alistair’s work.

Return from Cairo

Henrietta’s return is marked first by the reunion with Theodosia. The girl is so eager to embrace her mother that she wants to run to her, but the long separation leaves her shy; Henrietta reaches out and hugs her. Theodosia registers the familiar scent of lilacs and the softness of Henrietta’s traveling suit, while Henrietta’s eyes are damp when they draw apart. The homecoming makes their mutual emotion visible without requiring either of them to explain it.

The reunion also brings Henrietta’s archaeological work into the household. She has kept some artifacts close instead of shipping them, a decision she signals privately to Theodosia rather than explaining in front of others. When Alistair examines the luggage, Henrietta opens a trunk with a key from her pocketbook. She praises his research as the basis for what she found, while Theodosia watches Alistair for any sign of bitterness about his earlier loss of credit. The exchange links Henrietta’s new success to their shared past and to the question of recognition.

The Heart of Egypt

Among the artifacts Henrietta carries is a large scarab carved from precious stone. Its gold wings are set with many jewels; a round carnelian sits at its head, and a smaller green stone marks the bottom of the beetle. Henrietta identifies it as the Heart of Egypt and says it came directly from Amenemhab’s tomb. She presents the discovery plainly, but Theodosia’s bodily reaction sharply changes the scene: before the wrapping is fully removed, she shivers and feels as if her body is covered in stinging ants, sensing that the object is cursed.

Henrietta’s role at this point is that of discoverer and custodian of the artifact; the evidence does not show her recognizing its curse. Her careful handling, including keeping her gloves on while opening the trunk, accompanies the transfer of the find from excavation to family possession. The discovery thus joins Henrietta’s archaeological accomplishment to the danger that Theodosia alone perceives.