It was night, and all their wonderful story had been told.
"Such is our tale, Rames my Son," said Asti, "and long may you searchbefore you find another that will match it. Now tell us yours."
"It is short, Mother," he answered. "Obeying the commands of her Majestyyonder," and he bowed towards Tua, who sat at the further side of thetable at which they ate, "I travelled up the Nile to this city. Asthe old king, the father of the Prince of Kesh, would have slain me Iattacked him first by the help of my Egyptians and his own subjects,and--well, he died. Moreover, none regretted him, for he was a badking, and I stepped into his place, and ever since have been engaged inrighting matters which they needed. Long ago I would have returnedto Egypt and reported myself, only my spies told me of all that hadhappened there. They told me, for instance, of the murder of Pharaoh,by the witchcraft of Abi and his companions; and they told me thatPharaoh's daughter, the Star of Amen, forgetting all things and the oathshe swore to me, had married her old uncle Abi that she might save herlife and power."
"And you believed them, Rames?" asked Tua reproachfully.
"What else could I do but believe, Lady, seeing that those same spiesswore that they had seen your Majesty seated upon your throne atMemphis, and elsewhere, and causing Abi to run to and fro like a littledog, and do your bidding in all things? How could I know that it wasyour Double, and not yourself that married Abi?"
"I think that Abi knows to-day," answered Tua, "since it seems that a Kamakes but a bad wife to any man. But now what shall we do?"
"Will you not first marry me, Lady?" suggested Rames. "Afterwards, wecan think."
"Aye," she answered, "I will marry you as I have promised, but in oneplace only, the temple of Amen in Egypt. First win me back my throne,then ask for my hand."
"It shall be done," he answered, "though how I know not, seeing thatanother sits upon that throne of yours, who, perhaps, will not bewilling to bid it farewell."
"We will send her a message, Son," said Asti. "Now leave us, for we mustsleep."
"Where is your messenger, Mother?" asked Rames as he went.
"Have you known me all these years, my Son, and not learned that I haveservants whom you cannot see?" answered Asti.
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