“Yes, I know and now I am sure.  Be not angry, Shabaka, with her who loves you truly and hopes ere long to call you husband.  But till that day take it not amiss if I keep somewhat aloof from you, who must break with the past and learn to face a future of which I did not dream.”

For the rest she stretched out her hand and I kissed it, for while she was still a priestess her lips she would not suffer me to touch.  Another moment and smiling happily, she had glided away, leaving me alone in the garden.

Then it was for the first time that I bethought me of the warnings of Bes and remembered that it was I, not he, who had told the Great King the name of the most beautiful woman in Egypt, although in all innocence.  Yes, I remembered, and felt as if all the shadows on the earth had wrapped me round.  I thought of finding her, but she had gone whither I knew not in that great palace.  So I determined that the next time we were alone I would tell her of the matter, explaining all, and with this thought I comforted myself who did not know that until many days were past we should be alone no more.

After this I went home and told my mother all my joy, for in truth there was no happier man in Egypt.  She listened, then answered, smiling a little.

“When your father wished to take me to wife, Shabaka, it was not my hand that I gave him to kiss, and as you know, I too have the blood of kings in me.  But then I was not a priestess of Isis, so doubtless all is well.  Only in twenty-seven days much may happen, as you said to Amada.  Now I wonder why did she——?  Well, no matter, since priestesses are not like other women who only think of the man they have won and of naught before or after.  The blessing of the gods and mine be on you both, my son,” and she went away to attend to her household matters.

As we rode to Sekera to find the holy Tanofir I told Bes also, adding that I had forgotten to reveal that it was I who had spoken Amada’s name to the king, but that I intended to do so ere long.

Bes rolled his eyes and answered,

“If I were you, Master, as I had forgotten, I should continue to forget, for what is welcome in one hour is not always welcome in another.  Why speak of the matter at all, which is one hard to explain to a woman, however wise and royal?  I have already said that I spoke the name to the King and that you were brought from the boat to say whether I was noted for my truthfulness.  Is not that enough?”

While I considered, Bes went on,

“You may remember, Master, that when I told, well—­the truth about this story, the lady Amada asked earnestly that I should be scourged, even to the bones.  Now if you should tell another truth which will make mine dull as tarnished silver, she will not leave me even my bones, for I shall be proved a liar, and what will happen to you I am sure I do not know.  And, Master, as I am no longer a slave here in Egypt, to say nothing of what I may be elsewhere, I have no fancy for scourgings, who may not kiss the hand that smites me as you can.”