ither to
seek me in the guise of an aged priest. Once, Odysseus, I saw thee in
beggar's weeds, and knew thee in the midst of thy foes. Shall I not know
thee again in peace beneath thy folded garb and thy robes of white?"

Rei heard and knew that he could hide himself no longer. Therefore he
came forward trembling, and knelt before her, saying:

"Oh, mighty Queen, I am not that man whom thou didst name, nor am I hid
in any wrappings of disguise. Nay, I do avow myself to be named Rei the
Chief Architect of Pharaoh, the Commander of the Legion of Amen, the
chief of the Treasury of Amen, and a man of repute in this land of Khem.
Now, if indeed thou art the Goddess of this temple, as I judge by that
red jewel which burns upon thy breast, I pray thee be merciful to thy
servant and smite me not in thy wrath, for not by my own will am I here,
but by the command of that hero whom thou hast named, and for whose
coming I await. Be merciful therefore, and hold thy hand."

"Fear not thou, Rei," said the sweet voice. "Little am I minded to
harm thee, or any man, for though many men have gone down the path of
darkness because of me, who am a doom to men, not by my will has it
been, but by the will of the immortal Gods, who use me to their ends.
Rise thou, Rei, and tell me why thou art come hither, and where is he
whom I have named?"

Then Rei rose, and looking up saw the light of the Helen's eyes shining
on him through her veil. But there was no anger in them, they shone
mildly as stars in an evening sky, and his heart was comforted.

"I know not where the Wanderer is, O thou Immortal," he said. "This I
know only, that he bade me meet him here at one hour before midnight,
and so I came."

"Perchance he too will come anon," said the sweet voice; "but why did
he, whom thou namest the Wanderer, bid thee meet him here?"

"For this reason, O Hathor. He told me that this night he should be wed
to thee, and was minded thereafter to fly from Khem with thee. Therefore
he bade me come, who am a friend to him, to talk with thee and him as to
how thy flight should go, and yet he comes not."

Now as Rei spake, he turned his face upward, and the Golden Helen looked
upon it.

"Hearken, Rei," she said; "but yesterday, after I had stood upon the
pylon tower as the Gods decreed, and sang to those who were ripe to die,
I went to my shrine and wove my web while the doomed men fell beneath
the swords of them who were set to guard my beauty, but