Night came at last, and having dismissed her secretaries, scribes andtire-women the weary girl, now clad in simple white, sat in her chamberalone. She thought of all the splendours through which she had passed;she thought of the glories of her imperial state, of the power that shewielded, and of the proud future which stretched before her feet.But most of all she thought of the face of the young Count Rames, theplaymate of her childhood, the man she loved, and wondered, ah! how shewondered, if with all her power she could ever draw him to her side.If not, of what use was this rule over millions, this dominion of herworld? They called her a goddess, and in truth, at times, she believedthat she was half-divine, but if so, why did her heart ache like that ofany common maid?
Moreover, was she really set above the misfortunes of her race? Coulda throne, however bright with gold, lift her above the sorrows of humankind? She desired to learn the truth, the very truth. Her mind wasurgent, it drove her on to search out things to come, to stand face toface with them, even if they were evil. Well, she believed she had thestrength, although, as yet, she had never called it to her aid.
Also this thing could not be done alone. Tua thought a while, then goingto the door of her chamber she bade a woman who waited without summon toher the Lady Asti, priestess of Amen, Interpreter of Heaven. PresentlyAsti came, for now, as always, she was in attendance upon thenew-crowned queen, a tall and noble-looking woman with fine-cut featuresand black hair, that although she was fifty years of age, still showedno trace of grey.
"I was in the Sanctuary when your Majesty summoned me," she said,pointing to the sacred robe she wore. "Let your Majesty pardon me,therefore, if I have been long in coming," and she bowed low before her.
But the Queen lifted her up and kissed her, saying,
"I am weary of those high titles whereof I have heard more than enoughto-day. Call me Tua, O my mother, for so you have ever been to me, fromwhose breast I drew the milk of life."
"What ails you, my child?" asked Asti. "Was the crown too heavy for thisyoung head of yours?" she added, stretching out her delicate hand andstroking the black and curling hair.
"Aye, Mother, the weight of it seemed to crush me with its gems andgold. I am weary and yet I cannot sleep. Tell me, why did Pharaoh summonthat Council after the feast? Mermes was one of them, so you must know.And why was not I, who henceforth rule with Pharaoh, present with him?"
"Would you learn?" said Asti with a little smile. "Well, as Queenyou have the right. It was because they discussed the matter of yourmarriage."
For a moment a light shone upon Tua's face. Then she asked anxiously:
"My marriage, and with whom?"
"Oh! many names were mentioned, Child, since she who rules Egypt doesnot lack for suitors."
"Tell me them quick, Asti."
So she told them, there were seven in all, the Prince of Kesh, the sonsof foreign kings, great nobles, and a general of the army who claimeddescent from a former Pharaoh.
As each name fell from Asti's lips Tua waved her hand, saying scornfulwords, such as "I know him not," "Too old," "Fat and hideous," "Aforeign 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 Counciladjourned 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 acertain sound that they did not utter. The two women looked each otherin the eyes, then Asti shook her head.
"It may not be," she whispered, "for many reasons, and amongst them thatby the solemn decree of long ago whereof I have told you, our blood isbarred for ever from the throne. None would dare to break it, not eventhe Pharaoh himself. You would bring my son to his death, Tua, whichsuch 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 tolife 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. "Intruth, most Beautiful, I do not think there is any need, even if Iwould. Say now, why did a certain captain turn faint and leave the hallto-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 itlong--like others. Still there are fires----"
"Because he was afraid of my majesty," broke in Tua hurriedly. "You knowI 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 willlearn that a monarch is a slave to the people and to the law. Breathebut his name in love, and never will you see him more till you meetbefore Osiris."
Tua hid her eyes in her hands for a moment, then she glanced up andthere was another look upon her face, a strange, new look.
"When I am Pharaoh," she answered, "there are certain matters in whichI will be my own law, and if the people do not like it, they may findanother Pharaoh."
Asti started at her words, and a light of joy shone in her deep eyes.
"Truly your heart is high," she said; "but, oh! if you love me--andanother--bury that thought, bury it deep, or he will never live to seeyou placed alone upon the golden seat. Know, Lady, that already fromhour to hour I fear for him--lest he should drink a poisoned cup,lest at night he should chance to stumble against a spear, lest anarrow--shot in sport--should fall against his throat and none knowwhence it came."
Tua clenched her hands.
"If so, there should be such vengeance as Egypt has not heard of sinceMena ruled."
"Of what use is vengeance, Child, when the heart is empty and the tombis sealed?"
Again Tua thought. Then she said:
"There are other gods besides Osiris. Now what do men call me, Mother?Nay, not my royal names."
"They call you Morning Star of Amen; they call you Daughter of Amen."
"Is that story true, Asti the Magician?"
"Aye, at least your mother dreamed the dream, for she told it to me andI have read its record, who am a priestess of Amen."
"Then this high god should love me, should he not? He should hear myprayers and give me power--he should protect those who are dear to me.Mother, they say that you, the Mistress of secret things, can open theears of the gods and cause their mouths to speak. Mother, I command youas your Queen, call up my father Amen before me, so that I may talk withhim, for I have words to which he must listen."
"Are you not afraid?" asked Asti, looking at her curiously. "He is thegreatest of all the gods, and to summon him lightly is a sacrilege."
"Should a daughter fear her father?" answered Tua.
"When the divine Queen your mother and Pharaoh knelt before him in hisshrine, praying that a child might be given to them, Amen did not deignto appear to them, save afterwards in a dream. Will you dare more thanthey? Lie down and dream, O Star of the Morning."
"Nay, I trust no dreams which change like summer clouds and pass assoon," answered the girl boldly. "If the god is my father, in the spiritor the flesh, I know not which, let him appear before me face to face.I ask his wisdom for myself and his favour for another. Call him, if youhave the power, Asti. Call him even if he slay me. Better that I shoulddie than----"
"Hush!" said Asti, laying her hand upon her lips, "speak not that name.Well, I have some skill, and for your sake--and another's--I will try,but not here. Perchance he may listen, perchance not, or, perchance, ifhe comes you and I must pay the price. Put on your robes, now, O Queen,and over them this veil, and follow me--if you dare."
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