“But,” went on Abi, taking no notice of this interruption, “on the other hand I have much to offer.  I rule here, your Majesties, who am also of the royal blood, and there is some disaffection in the North, especially among the great Bedouin tribes of the Desert who watch the frontier of the Kingdom.  Now if this alliance comes about, and in days to be I sit upon the double throne as King-Consort of Egypt, they will be loyal, and north and south will be united more closely than they ever were before.  Whereas if it does not come about——­” Here Kaku, pretending to brush a fly from his face, caught his hand in Abi’s robe, a signal at which his master paused.

“Go on, my Uncle, I pray you,” said Tua.  “If it does not come about, what then?”

“Then, Queen, there may be trouble.  Nay, leave me alone, Magician, I will speak the truth, chance what may.  Pharaoh, you have reigned for many years; yes, forty times has the Nile overflowed its banks since we laid our divine father in the tomb.  Now, during all those years but one child has been born to you, and that after I came to Thebes to pray you to name me as your heir.  Know, Pharaoh, that there are many who find this strange, and wonder whether this beautiful queen, who is called Daughter of Amen, and resembles you so little in body or in mind, sits rightfully on the throne of Egypt.  If I marry her these questionings will cease.  If I do not marry her the whisperings of men may grow to a wind that will blow the crown from off her head.”

Now a grasp of fear and wonder rose from all who heard this bold and treasonable speech, and Tua, reddening to the eyes, bent forward as though to answer.  But before ever a word had passed her lips Pharaoh sprang from his seat transformed with rage.  All his patient gentleness was gone, and he looked so fierce and royal that everyone present there, even Abi himself, quailed before him.

“Is it for this that I have borne with you for so long, my brother?” he cried, rending at his robes.  “Is it for this that I spared you years ago in Thebes, when your life was forfeit for your treachery?  Is it for this that I have suffered you to rise to great honour, and to rule here almost as a king in my city of Memphis?  Was it not enough that I should sit quiet, while you, an old man, the son of our father’s barbarian slave, the loose-living despot, dare to ask for the pure hand of Egypt’s Queen in marriage, you, her uncle, who might well be her grandfather also?  Must I also hear your foul mouth beslime her royal birth, and the honour of her divine mother, and spit sneers at Amen, Father of the gods?  Well, Amen shall deal with you when you come to the doors of his Eternal House, but here on earth I am his son and servant.  Mermes, call my guards, and arrest this man and hold him safe.  At Thebes, whither we depart to-morrow, he shall be judged according to our law.”