the table, the pair stared
into it as Kaku muttered his charms and invocations. For a long while
Merytra saw nothing, till suddenly a shadow gathered in the ball, which
slowly cleared away, revealing the image of dead Pharaoh clothed in his
mummy wrappings. As she started back to scream the image seemed to loose
its hands from the cloths that bound them, and strike outwards, whereon
the crystal suddenly shattered, so that the pieces of it flew about
the room, one of which struck her on the mouth, knocking out two of her
front teeth, and gashing her lips.

Merytra uttered a cry, and fell backwards to the floor, while Kaku
sprang from his chair as though to run away, then thought better of it,
and stood still, shivering with fear.

"What was that?" said Merytra, rising from the ground, and wiping the
blood from her cut mouth.

"I do not know," answered Kaku, in a quavering voice. "It would seem
that the gods deny to us that knowledge of the future which you sought.
Be content with the present, Merytra."

"Content with the present," she screamed, infuriated. "Look at what
the present has given me--a mouthful of blood and teeth. I, who was
beautiful, am spoiled for ever; I am become an old hag. Pharaoh burst
the ball with his hand, and threw the pieces at me. I saw him do it, and
you set him there. Wretch, I will pay you back for this evil trick," and
springing at Kaku, she tore of his astrologer's cap, and the wig beneath
it, and beat his bald head with them till he cried for mercy.

It was at this moment that the door opened, and through it, breathless,
white with terror, half-clothed, appeared none other than the Prince
Abi.

"What passes here?" he gasped, sinking into a chair. "Is this the way
you conduct your midnight studies, Kaku?"

"Certainly not, most high Lord," replied the astrologer, trying to bow
with his eye fixed on Merytra, who stood by him, the torn wig in her
hand, in the act of striking. "Certainly not, exalted Prince. A domestic
difference, that is all. This wild cat of a woman whom I have married
having met with an accident, gave way to her devilish temper."

"Repeat that," exclaimed Merytra, "and I will throw you from the
window-place to find out whether your sorceries can make paving-stones
as soft as air. See, Lord, what he has done to me by his accursed
wizardry," and she exhibited her two front teeth in her shaking hand.
"I say that he set the spirit of Pharaoh whom he beguiled me to do t