are to be put," I
replied indignantly.

"Yes, I know and now I am sure. Be not angry, Shabaka, with her who
loves you truly and hopes ere long to call you husband. But till that
day take it not amiss if I keep somewhat aloof from you, who must break
with the past and learn to face a future of which I did not dream."

For the rest she stretched out her hand and I kissed it, for while she
was still a priestess her lips she would not suffer me to touch. Another
moment and smiling happily, she had glided away, leaving me alone in the
garden.

Then it was for the first time that I bethought me of the warnings of
Bes and remembered that it was I, not he, who had told the Great
King the name of the most beautiful woman in Egypt, although in all
innocence. Yes, I remembered, and felt as if all the shadows on the
earth had wrapped me round. I thought of finding her, but she had gone
whither I knew not in that great palace. So I determined that the next
time we were alone I would tell her of the matter, explaining all, and
with this thought I comforted myself who did not know that until many
days were past we should be alone no more.

After this I went home and told my mother all my joy, for in truth there
was no happier man in Egypt. She listened, then answered, smiling a
little.

"When your father wished to take me to wife, Shabaka, it was not my hand
that I gave him to kiss, and as you know, I too have the blood of kings
in me. But then I was not a priestess of Isis, so doubtless all is well.
Only in twenty-seven days much may happen, as you said to Amada. Now I
wonder why did she----? Well, no matter, since priestesses are not like
other women who only think of the man they have won and of naught before
or after. The blessing of the gods and mine be on you both, my son," and
she went away to attend to her household matters.

As we rode to Sekera to find the holy Tanofir I told Bes also, adding
that I had forgotten to reveal that it was I who had spoken Amada's name
to the king, but that I intended to do so ere long.

Bes rolled his eyes and answered,

"If I were you, Master, as I had forgotten, I should continue to forget,
for what is welcome in one hour is not always welcome in another. Why
speak of the matter at all, which is one hard to explain to a woman,
however wise and royal? I have already said that _I_ spoke the name to
the King and that you were brought from the boat to say whether I was
noted for my trut