Also this thing could not be done alone.  Tua thought a while, then going to the door of her chamber she bade a woman who waited without summon to her the Lady Asti, priestess of Amen, Interpreter of Heaven.  Presently Asti came, for now, as always, she was in attendance upon the new-crowned queen, a tall and noble-looking woman with fine-cut features and black hair, that although she was fifty years of age, still showed no 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 enough to-day.  Call me Tua, O my mother, for so you have ever been to me, from whose breast I drew the milk of life.”

“What ails you, my child?” asked Asti.  “Was the crown too heavy for this young head of yours?” she added, stretching out her delicate hand and stroking the black and curling hair.

“Aye, Mother, the weight of it seemed to crush me with its gems and gold.  I am weary and yet I cannot sleep.  Tell me, why did Pharaoh summon that 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 Queen you have the right.  It was because they discussed the matter of your marriage.”

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 does not lack for suitors.”

“Tell me them quick, Asti.”

So she told them, there were seven in all, the Prince of Kesh, the sons of foreign kings, great nobles, and a general of the army who claimed descent from a former Pharaoh.

As each name fell from Asti’s lips Tua waved her hand, saying scornful words, such as “I know him not,” “Too old,” “Fat and hideous,” “A foreign 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 Council adjourned 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 a certain sound that they did not utter.  The two women looked each other in the eyes, then Asti shook her head.

“It may not be,” she whispered, “for many reasons, and amongst them that by the solemn decree of long ago whereof I have told you, our blood is barred for ever from the throne.  None would dare to break it, not even the Pharaoh himself.  You would bring my son to his death, Tua, which such another look as you gave him in yonder hall would surely do.”