“No, Prince Abi, you know nothing, and Kaku knows nothing, save that rods break the backs of snakes, unless they can find a wall to hide in,” and she pointed to the astrologer slinking back into the shadow.  “No one knows anything save me, to whom Amen gives wisdom with sight of the future, and what I know I keep.  Were it otherwise, O Abi, I could tell you things that would turn your grey hair white, and to Kaku and Merytra the spy, promise rewards that would make the torture-chamber seem a bed of down.  But it is not lawful, nor would they sound pleasant in this bridal hour.”

Now while Kaku between his chattering teeth muttered the words of Protection in the shadow, Abi and his courtiers stared at this terrible queen as boys seeking wild fowls’ eggs in the reeds, and stumbling on a lion, stare ere they fly.  Twice, indeed, the Prince turned looking towards the door and the pleasant light without, for it seemed to him that he was entering on a dark and doubtful road.  Then he said: 

“Your words, O Queen, cut like a two-edged sword, and methinks they leave a poison in the wound.  Say now, if you are human, how it comes about that after seven days of want your flesh is not minished nor has your beauty waned.  Say also who brought to you those glorious robes you wear here in this empty temple, and where is your foster-mother, Asti?”

“The gods fed me,” answered the Queen gently, “and brought me these robes that I might seem the more worthy of you, O Prince.  And as for Asti, I sent her to Cyprus to fetch a scent they make there and nowhere else.  No, I forgot, it was yesterday she went to bring the scent from Cyprus that now is on my hair; to-day she is in Thebes, seeing to a business of mine.  That is no secret, I will tell it you—­it is as to the carving of all the history of his murder and betrayal in the first chamber of the Pharaoh’s tomb.”

Now at these magical and ill-omened words the courage of the company left them, so that they began to walk backwards towards the door, Abi going with them.

“What!” cried the Queen in a voice of sorrow that yet seemed laden with mockery.  “Would you leave me here alone?  Do my power and my wisdom frighten you?  Alas!  I cannot help them, for when the full vase is tilted the wine will run out, and when light is set behind alabaster, then the white stone must shine.  Yet am I one meet to adorn the palace of the King, even such a king as you shall be, O Abi, whom Osiris loves.  See, now, I will dance and sing to you as once I sang to the Prince of Kesh before the sword of Rames took away his life, so that you may judge of me, Abi, you, who have looked upon so many lovely women.”

As she spoke, very slowly, so slowly that they could scarcely see her move, she glided from the throne, and standing before them, began to move her feet and body, and to chant a song.