pride before her father and
her brother: her father's will was hers; she seemed to let her secret
sleep, and she set her own price on her hand. In everything she must be
the equal of Pharaoh--that was her price; and in all the temples and all
the cities she was to be solemnly proclaimed joint heir with him of the
Upper and Lower Land. The bargain was struck and the price was
paid. After that night over the game of pieces Meriamun was changed.
Thenceforth she did not mock at the Prince, she made herself gentle and
submissive to his will.

"So the time drew on till at length in the beginning of the rising of
the waters came the day of her bridal. With a mighty pomp was Pharaoh's
daughter wedded to Pharaoh's son. But her hand was cold as she stood
at the altar, cold as the hand of one who sleeps in Osiris. Proudly and
coldly she sat in the golden chariot passing in and out the great gates
of Tanis. Only when she listened and heard the acclaiming thousands cry
_Meriamun_ so loudly that the cry of _Meneptah_ was lost in the echoes
of her name--then only did she smile.

"Cold, too, she sat in her white robes at the feast that Pharaoh made,
and she never looked at the husband by her side, though he looked kindly
on her.

"The feast was long, but it ended at last, and then came the music and
the singers, but Meriamun, making excuse, rose and went out, attended by
her ladies. And I also, weary and sad at heart, passed thence to my own
chamber and busied myself with the instruments of my art, for, stranger,
I build the houses of gods and kings.

"Presently, as I sat, there came a knocking at the door, and a woman
entered wrapped in a heavy cloak. She put aside the cloak, and before me
was Meriamun in all her bridal robes.

"'Heed me not, Rei,' she said, 'I am yet free for an hour; and I would
watch thee at thy labour. Nay, it is my humour; gainsay me not, for I
love well to look on that wrinkled face of thine, scored by the cunning
chisel of thy knowledge and thy years. So from a child have I watched
thee tracing the shapes of mighty temples that shall endure when
ourselves, and perchance the very Gods we worship, have long since
ceased to be. Ah, Rei, thou wise man, thine is the better part, for thou
buildest in cold enduring stone and attirest thy walls as thy fancy bids
thee. But I--I build in the dust of human hearts, and my will is written
in their dust. When I am dead, raise me a tomb more beautiful than ever
has been