d see nothing, still
they fought for the merest foothold, and some of those who fell never
rose again. At the head of the hall were set two thrones, the greater
and the richer throne for Abi the Prince, the lesser throne for
Neter-Tua the Queen. He had arranged it thus since Kaku the cunning
pointed out to him that from the first he should show the people that it
was he who ruled, and not Pharaoh's daughter.

It was the appointed hour, and at some signal from every temple top rang
out the blare of trumpets. Thrice they sounded, and echoed into silence
in that hot, still air, thus announcing that in the temple of Hathor,
and the presence of the priests of all the gods, the hands of Abi and
Neter-Tua had been joined in marriage.

Another rumour began to run among the crowd; like the ring set circling
by a stone in water it spread from mouth to mouth, ever widening as it
went.

Marvels had happened in the temple of Hathor, that was the rumour.
Moreover it gave details: that the High-Priest had handed to the bride
the accustomed lotus-bud, the flower of the goddess, and lo! it opened
in her hand. Also, it was said, that presently the stem of it turned
to a sceptre of gold, and the cup of the bloom to sapphire stones more
perfect far than any from the desert mines.

Nor was this all, so went the tale, for when, as he must, the bridegroom
Abi offered the white dove to Hathor in her shrine, a hawk swept through
the doorway and smote it in his very hand. Yes, there in the gloom of
the shrine smote it and left it dead, blood running from its beak and
breast, dead upon the knees of the goddess; left it and was gone again!

Now what hawk, asked the people of each other, dare such a deed as
this, unless in truth it was sent by the hawk-headed Horus, the son of
Amen-Ra.

Soon these matters were forgotten for the moment, since now it was known
that the royal pair were entering the great White Hall, there to show
themselves to the people, and receive the homage of the nobles, chiefs,
and captains. First, advancing by the covered way which led from the
temple of Hathor, appeared the priests in their robes, chanting as they
walked, followed by the masters of ceremonies, butlers, and heralds.
Next, surrounded by his officers and guard, came the Prince Abi himself,
accompanied by his vizier, Kaku, he whose magic was said to have brought
Pharaoh to his end.

Not all his pomp nor the splendour of his apparel, whereof the
whiteness,