Abi, "she is my business. But one more
question. Why did that accursed mummy speak of her as 'It'--in my dream
I mean--as though she were no woman, but something beyond woman?"

For a moment Kaku hesitated, for the point was hard to answer, then he
replied boldly:

"Because as I believe, Prince, this Queen with whom the gods are
rewarding your deserts is in truth more than woman, being Amen's very
daughter, and therefore in those realms whence the dream came, she is
known not as woman, but by her title of Royal Loveliness. Oh!" went on
Kaku, simulating an enthusiasm that in truth did not glow within his
breast, "great and glorious is your lot, King of the world, and splendid
the path which I have opened to your triumphant feet. It was I who
showed you how Pharaoh might be trapped in Memphis, being but a poor
fool easy to deceive, and it was I--or rather Merytra yonder--who rid
you of him. And now it is I, the Master whom you threatened with rods,
that alone can interpret to you the happy omen of a dream which you
thought fearsome. Think of the end of it, Prince, and banish every
doubt. Who bore away the shape of Pharaoh? Why the spirits of your sons,
thus symbolising the triumph of your House."

"At least they will have no share in it, Kaku, for they are dead," said
Abi with a groan, for he had loved his sons.

"What of that, Prince? They died bravely, and we mourn them, but here
again Fortune is with you, for had they lived trouble might have arisen
between them and those other sons which the Queen of Egypt shall bear to
you."

"Mayhap, mayhap," replied Abi, waving his hand, for the subject was
painful to him, "but this Queen is not yet my wife. She is starving in
yonder tower, and what am I to do? If I try to force my presence upon
her, she will destroy herself as she swore, and if I leave her there any
longer, being mortal, she must die. Moreover, I dare not, for even these
folk of Memphis, who love me, begin to murmur. Egypt's Queen is Egypt's
Queen, and they will not suffer that she should perish miserably, being
beautiful and young, and one who takes all hearts. This night at sunset
they gathered in tens of thousands round the tower to hear her sing that
evening hymn to Ra, and afterwards marched past my palace, shouting
in the darkness, 'Give food to Her Majesty, and free her, or we will.'
Moreover, by now the news must have come to Thebes, and there a great
army will gather to liberate or avenge her. What