“Who was his counsellor?” asked Tua.

“A strange one, I think, Queen.  You know his waiting-woman, Merytra, she of whom he is so fond, and who stood behind him with a fan this night.”

“Aye, I know her,” replied Tua, with emphasis.  “She was ever whispering with that tall astrologer at the feast.  But does Pharaoh take counsel with waiting-ladies of his private household?”

“With this waiting-lady, it seems, Queen.  Perhaps you have not heard all her story, in the year before your birth Merytra came up the Nile with Abi.  She was then quite young and very pretty; one of Abi’s women.  It seems that the Prince struck her for some fault, and being clever she determined to be revenged upon him.  Soon she got her chance, for she heard Abi disclose to the astrologer Kaku, that same man whom you saw to-night talking with her, a plan that he had made to murder Pharaoh and declare himself king, from which Kaku dissuaded him.  Having this secret and being bold, she fled at once from the ship of Abi, and that night told Pharaoh everything.  But he forgave Abi, and sent him home again with honour who should have slain him for his treason.  Only Merytra remained in the Court, and from that time forward Pharaoh, who trusted her and was caught by her wit and beauty, made it a habit to send for her when he wished to have news of Memphis where she was born, because she seemed always to know even the most secret things that were passing in that city.  Moreover, often her information proved true.”

“That is not to be wondered at, Nurse, seeing that doubtless it came from this Kaku, Abi’s astrologer and magician.”

“No, Queen, it is not to be wondered at, especially as she paid back secret for secret.  Well, I believe that after I had warned Pharaoh of what I knew, never mind how, he sent for Merytra, who laughed the tale to scorn, and told him that Abi his brother had long ago abandoned all ambitions, being well content with his great place and power which one of his sons would inherit after him.  She told him also that the troops were but assembled to do the greater honour to your Majesties who had no more loyal or loving subject than the Prince Abi, whom for her part she hated with good cause, as she loved Pharaoh and his House—­with good cause.  If there were any danger, she asked would she dare to put herself within the reach of Abi, the man that she had once betrayed because her heart was pure and true, and she was faithful to her king.  So Pharaoh believed her, and I obeyed the orders of Pharaoh, knowing that if I did not do so he would grow angry and perhaps separate me from you, my beloved Queen and fosterling, which, now that Rames has gone, would, I think, have meant my death.  Yet I fear that I have erred.”

“Yes, I fear also that you have erred, Asti, but everything is forgiven to those who err through love,” answered Tua kindly and kissing her.  “Oh, my father, Pharaoh!  What god fashioned you so weak that an evil spirit in a woman’s shape can play the rudder to your policy!  Leave me now, Asti, for I must sleep and call on Amen to aid his daughter.  The snare is strong and cunning, but, perchance, in my dreams he will show me how it may be broke.”