e, and with whom?"

"Oh! many names were mentioned, Child, since she who rules Egypt does
not lack for suitors."

"Tell me them quick, Asti."

So she told them, there were seven in all, the Prince of Kesh, the sons
of foreign kings, great nobles, and a general of the army who claimed
descent from a former Pharaoh.

As each name fell from Asti's lips Tua waved her hand, saying scornful
words, such as "I know him not," "Too old," "Fat and hideous," "A
foreign dog who spits upon our gods," and so forth, adding at last:

"Go on."

"That is all, Lady, no other name was mentioned, and the Council
adjourned to consider these."

"No other name?"

"Do you then miss one, perchance, Tua?"

She made no answer, only her lips seemed to shape themselves to a
certain sound that they did not utter. The two women looked each other
in the eyes, then Asti shook her head.

"It may not be," she whispered, "for many reasons, and amongst them that
by the solemn decree of long ago whereof I have told you, our blood is
barred for ever from the throne. None would dare to break it, not even
the Pharaoh himself. You would bring my son to his death, Tua, which
such another look as you gave him in yonder hall would surely do."

"No," she answered slowly, "I would not bring him to his death, but to
life and honour and--love, and one day _I_ shall be Pharaoh. Only, Asti,
if you betray me to him I swear that I will bring you to your death,
although you are so dear."

"I shall not betray you," answered the priestess, smiling again. "In
truth, most Beautiful, I do not think there is any need, even if I
would. Say now, why did a certain captain turn faint and leave the hall
to-day when your eyes chanced to fall on him?"

"The heat," suggested Tua, colouring.

"Yes, it was hot, but he is stronger than most men and had borne it
long--like others. Still there are fires----"

"Because he was afraid of my majesty," broke in Tua hurriedly. "You know
I looked very royal there, Mother."

"Yes, doubtless fear moved him--or some other passion. Yet, Beloved,
put that thought from your heart as I do. When you are Pharaoh you will
learn that a monarch is a slave to the people and to the law. Breathe
but his name in love, and never will you see him more till you meet
before Osiris."

Tua hid her eyes in her hands for a moment, then she glanced up and
there was another look upon her face, a strange, new look.

"When I am Pharaoh," she answered, "t