, indeterminate fashion
that enraged Merytra.

"Cease grinning at me like an ape of the rocks," she said, "and tell me,
what is to be the end of this evil business?"

"Why trouble about ends, Fair One?" he asked. "They are always a long
way off; indeed, the best philosophers hold that there is no such thing
as an end. You know the sacred symbol of a snake with its tail in its
mouth that surrounds the whole world, but begins where it ends, and ends
where it begins. It may be seen in any tomb----"

"Cease your talk of snakes and tombs," burst in Merytra. "The thought of
them makes me shudder."

"By all means, Beloved. I have always held that we Egyptians dwell too
much on tombs, and--whatever it may be that lies beyond them, which
after all remains a matter of doubt--fortunately. So let us turn from
tombs and corpses to palaces and life. As I said just now, although we
grieve over the accident of Pharaoh's death, and that of all his guard
--and I may add, of Abi's four legitimate sons, things have gone
well for us. To-day I have received from the Prince, in writing, my
appointment as Vizier, and first King's companion, to come into force
when he mounts the throne as he must do, and to-day you have received
from me, with all the usual public rites and ceremonies, the name of
wife, as I promised that you should. Merytra, you are the wife of the
great Vizier, the pre-eminent lord, the sole Companion of the King of
Egypt, a high position for one who after all during the late reign was
but Pharaoh's favourite, and Lady of the Footstool."

"A footstool of silk is more comfortable to sit on than a state chair
fashioned of blood-stained swords. Hearken you, Kaku! I am afraid. You
say that you are the greatest of seers, and can read the future. Well,
I desire to know the future, so if you are not a charlatan, show it to
me."

"A charlatan! How can you suggest it, Merytra, remembering the adventure
of the image?"

"That may have been an accident. Pharaoh was sickly for years, and had
a stroke before. If you are not a cheat show me the future in that magic
crystal. I would learn the worst, so that I may know how to meet it when
it comes."

"Well, Wife, we will try, though to see such high visions the spirit
should be calm, which I fear yours is not--nay, be not angry. We will
try, we will try. Sit here now, and gaze, and above all be silent while
I say the appropriate spells."

So the ball of crystal having been set upon