ll be so, for who am I that I should know the purpose of the kings
of heaven? If but one girl be born of you and Pharaoh, then I take
back my words and give to you that title which for many years has been
written falsely upon your thrones and monuments, the title of Royal
Mother."

Now Ahura would have answered again, for this sneering taunt stung her
to the quick. But Pharaoh laid his hand upon her knee and said,

"Continue, Prince and brother. We have heard from you that which we
already know too well--that I am childless. Tell us what we do not know,
the desire of your heart which lies hid beneath all these words."

"Pharaoh, it is this--I am of your holy blood, sprung of the same divine
father----"

"But of a mother who was not divine," broke in Ahura; "of a mother taken
from a race that has brought many a curse upon Khem, as any mirror will
show you, Prince of Memphis."

"Pharaoh," went on Abi without heeding her, "you grow weak; heaven
desires you, the earth melts beneath you. In the north and in the south
many dangers threaten Egypt. Should you die suddenly without an heir,
barbarians will flow in from the north and from the south, and the great
ones of the land will struggle for your place. Pharaoh, I am a warrior;
I am built strong; my children are many; my house is built upon a rock;
the army trusts me; the millions of the people love me. Take me then to
rule with you and in the hearing of all the earth name me and my sons
as your successors, so that our royal race may continue for generation
after generation. So shall you end your days in peace and hope. I have
spoken."

Now, as the meaning of this bold request sank into their hearts, all the
court there gathered gasped and whispered, while the Queen Ahura in her
anger crushed the lotus flower which she held in her hand and cast it to
the floor. Only Pharaoh sat still and silent, his head bent and his eyes
shut as though in prayer. For a minute or more he sat thus, and when he
lifted his pale, pure face, there was a smile upon it.

"Abi, my brother," he said in his gentle voice, "listen to me. There are
those who filled this throne before me, who on hearing such words would
have pointed to you with their sceptres, whereon, Abi, those lips of
yours would have grown still for ever, and you and your name and the
names of all your House would have been blotted out by death. But, Abi,
you were ever bold, and I forgive you for laying open the thoughts of
yo