Now, at length, Tua seemed to awake.  She rubbed her eyes and looked.  There was the sleeping Asti; there on the table beside her were the water and the bread; there at the foot of the couch, glimmering in the low lights of dawn, was the glorious figure of herself draped in the splendid robes.

“Who, and what are you?” she cried.  “Are you a god or a spirit, or are you but a mocking vision caught in the web of my madness?”

“I am none of these things, O Morning-Star, I am yourself.  I am that Ka whom our father Amen gave to you at birth to dwell with you and protect you.  Do you not remember me when as a child we played together?”

“I remember,” answered Tua.  “You warned me of the danger of the sacred crocodile in the Temple tank, but since then I have never seen you.  What gives you the strength to appear in the flesh before me, O Double?”

“The magic of Asti with which she has been endowed from on high to save you, Neter-Tua, that gives me strength.  Know that although you cannot always see me, I am your eternal companion.  Through life I go with you, and when you die I watch in your tomb, perfect, incorruptible, preserving your wisdom, your loveliness, and all that is yours, until the day of resurrection.  I have power, I have the secret knowledge which dwells in you, although you cannot grasp it; I remember the Past, the infinite, infinite Past that you forget, I foresee the Future, the endless, endless Future that is hidden from you, to which the life you know is but as a single leaf upon the tree, but as one grain of sand in the billions of the Desert.  I look upon the faces of the gods, and hear their whisperings; Fate gives me his book to read; I sleep secure in the presence of the Eternal who sent me forth, and to whom at last I return again, my journey ended, my work fulfilled, bearing you in my holy arms.  O Morning-Star, the spells of Asti have clothed me in this magic flesh, the might of Amen has set me on my feet.  I am here, your servant, to obey.”

Now, amazed, bewildered, Tua called out: 

“Awake, Nurse, awake, for I am mad.  It seems to me that a messenger from on high, robed in my own flesh, stands before me and speaks with me.”

Asti opened her eyes, and, perceiving the beautiful figure, rose and did obeisance to it, but said no word.

“Be seated,” said the Ka, “and hear me, time is short.  I awoke at the summons, I came forth, I am present, I endure until the spell is taken off me, and I return whence I came.  O Interpreter, speak the will of her of whom I am, that I may do it in my own fashion.  There is food—­eat and drink, then speak.”

So Asti ate and drank as Tua had done, and when she had finished and was satisfied, behold! the cup and the platter vanished away.  Next in a slow, quiet voice she spoke, saying: 

“O Shadow of this royal Star, by my spells incorporate, this is our case:  Here we starve in misery, and without the gate Abi waits the end.  If the Queen lives, he will take her who hates him to be his wife; if she dies he will seize her throne.  Our wisdom is finished.  What must we do to save this Star that it may shine serene until its appointed hour of setting?”