ician wrathfully.

"No, Prince Abi, you know nothing, and Kaku knows nothing, save that
rods break the backs of snakes, unless they can find a wall to hide in,"
and she pointed to the astrologer slinking back into the shadow. "No
one knows anything save me, to whom Amen gives wisdom with sight of the
future, and what I know I keep. Were it otherwise, O Abi, I could tell
you things that would turn your grey hair white, and to Kaku and Merytra
the spy, promise rewards that would make the torture-chamber seem a bed
of down. But it is not lawful, nor would they sound pleasant in this
bridal hour."

Now while Kaku between his chattering teeth muttered the words of
Protection in the shadow, Abi and his courtiers stared at this terrible
queen as boys seeking wild fowls' eggs in the reeds, and stumbling on
a lion, stare ere they fly. Twice, indeed, the Prince turned looking
towards the door and the pleasant light without, for it seemed to him
that he was entering on a dark and doubtful road. Then he said:

"Your words, O Queen, cut like a two-edged sword, and methinks they
leave a poison in the wound. Say now, if you are human, how it comes
about that after seven days of want your flesh is not minished nor has
your beauty waned. Say also who brought to you those glorious robes you
wear here in this empty temple, and where is your foster-mother, Asti?"

"The gods fed me," answered the Queen gently, "and brought me these
robes that I might seem the more worthy of you, O Prince. And as for
Asti, I sent her to Cyprus to fetch a scent they make there and nowhere
else. No, I forgot, it was yesterday she went to bring the scent from
Cyprus that now is on my hair; to-day she is in Thebes, seeing to a
business of mine. That is no secret, I will tell it you--it is as to
the carving of all the history of his murder and betrayal in the first
chamber of the Pharaoh's tomb."

Now at these magical and ill-omened words the courage of the company
left them, so that they began to walk backwards towards the door, Abi
going with them.

"What!" cried the Queen in a voice of sorrow that yet seemed laden
with mockery. "Would you leave me here alone? Do my power and my wisdom
frighten you? Alas! I cannot help them, for when the full vase is tilted
the wine will run out, and when light is set behind alabaster, then the
white stone must shine. Yet am I one meet to adorn the palace of the
King, even such a king as you shall be, O Abi, whom Osiris l