“At least they will have no share in it, Kaku, for they are dead,” said Abi with a groan, for he had loved his sons.

“What of that, Prince?  They died bravely, and we mourn them, but here again Fortune is with you, for had they lived trouble might have arisen between them and those other sons which the Queen of Egypt shall bear to you.”

“Mayhap, mayhap,” replied Abi, waving his hand, for the subject was painful to him, “but this Queen is not yet my wife.  She is starving in yonder tower, and what am I to do?  If I try to force my presence upon her, she will destroy herself as she swore, and if I leave her there any longer, being mortal, she must die.  Moreover, I dare not, for even these folk of Memphis, who love me, begin to murmur.  Egypt’s Queen is Egypt’s Queen, and they will not suffer that she should perish miserably, being beautiful and young, and one who takes all hearts.  This night at sunset they gathered in tens of thousands round the tower to hear her sing that evening hymn to Ra, and afterwards marched past my palace, shouting in the darkness, ‘Give food to Her Majesty, and free her, or we will.’  Moreover, by now the news must have come to Thebes, and there a great army will gather to liberate or avenge her.  What am I to do, Prophet?”

“Do what dead Pharaoh bade you in your dream, Prince.  At the hour of dawn go to the Temple of Sekhet, where you will find the Queen become obedient to your wishes, for did not the dream declare that she will not say you nay?  Then lead her to your palace, and marry her in the face of all men, and rule by right of her Majesty and of your own conquering arm.”

“It can be tried,” said Abi, “for then, at least, we shall learn what truth there is in dreams.  But what of this Asti her companion?”

“Asti has been an ill guide to her Majesty, Prince,” replied Kaku, rubbing his chin as he always did when there was mischief in his mind.  “Moreover, she is advanced in years, and must be weak with grief and hunger.  If she still lives Merytra here will take her in charge and care for her.  You are old friends, are you not, Merytra?”

“Very,” answered that lady with emphasis, “like the cat and the bird which were pets of the same master.  Well, we shall have much to say to each other.  Only, beware, Husband, Asti is no weakling.  Your magic may be strong, but hers is stronger, for she is a great priestess and draws it from gods—­not devils.”

So it came about that at dawn Prince Abi, clad in magnificent robes, and accompanied by Councillors, among them Kaku, and by a small guard, was carried in a litter to the gates of the old temple of Sekhet, being too heavy to walk so far, and there descended.  As there were none to defend them these gates were opened easily enough, and they passed through, leaving the guard without.  When they came to the inner court, Abi stopped and asked where they should search.

“In one place only, your Highness,” answered Kaku, “that pylon tower which overlooks the Nile, for there her Majesty starves with Asti.”